Connecticut Woman Sues Fresenius in NaturaLyte Wrongful Death lawsuit

Connecticut Woman Sues Fresenius in NaturaLyte Wrongful Death lawsuit

By John Curran

Thyra Daniel of Connecticut, acting on the behalf of the estate of Catherine Baker, alleges that Baker was put at unnecessary risk of GranuFlo cardiac arrest side effects, according to a recently filed NaturaLyte wrongful death lawsuit.

The chemicals in question were manufactured by Fresenius Medical Care, which sells kidney dialysis treatment materials to other companies and also operates its own dialysis centers. Baker reportedly was treated at a center run by competitor DaVita in Bloomfield, Connecticut. During an appointment on October 3, 2011, she suffered from NaturaLyte side effects and although rushed to a nearby hospital, she died from alleged NaturaLyte complications.

Daniel’s GranuFlo side effects lawsuit attorney alleges that Fresenius Medical Care had known for years prior to Baker’s death of the risks involving the two kidney dialysis chemicals. The inclusion of sodium diacetate reportedly increases bicarbonate levels. This increase in bicarbonate levels has been known to put patients at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest. Since the treatment replaces cleaned blood directly into the heart, this can increase the reported risks.

The NaturaLyte lawsuit argues that Fresenius Medical Care was aware of risks since 2002, when it warned its facilities that there were problems regarding the dosages, and later recommended that its own kidney dialysis technicians halve the amount of chemicals used. Finally, company officials performed an internal study of just over one-third of its facilities in 2010, noting 941 patients died in just 667 centers, a rate of GranuFlo cardiac arrest side effects six to eight times higher than with the use of other chemicals.

While a memo regarding this information was issued to Fresenius kidney dialysis centers in November 4, 2011, other facilities like the one Baker used were not informed until a copy of the memo was leaked to the public in 2012. A Class 1 recall of all existing chemicals was issued by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) soon after.

Due to the nature of the chemical’s operation as well as Fresenius’ alleged lack of notifications regarding potential safety, Daniel is suing on counts of breach of warranty, negligence, strict liability and fraudulent concealment or misrepresentation.

The NaturaLyte wrongful death lawsuit is Thyra Daniel et al. v. Fresenius Medical Care Inc. et al., Case No. 13-v-12377, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. It was filed directly into In Re: Fresenius GranuFlo/NaturaLyte Dialysate Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2428, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

People who suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest during or following kidney dialysis may have been subject to these chemicals. Learn more about legal options by visiting the Kidney Dialysis Heart Attack, GranuFlo & NaturaLyte Recall Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Investigation. While there, filling out the short form entitles one to a free consultation with a GranuFlo side effects lawsuit attorney.