Reglan Settlements May be Just Around the Corner
Now that the statute of limitations has come and gone for people wanting to file Reglan side effects lawsuits, many are wondering just how long it will take before settlements start being announced.
The statute of limitations for filing Reglan lawsuits was up on February 26, 2011. This is a full two years after the FDA issued a black box warning against the pill amid claims that it caused tardive dyskinesia and various other harmful side effects. It was approved as a short term (12 weeks or less) treatment for gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD) in 1995.
Despite it being recommended for short term treatment, many doctors were prescribing it for as long as years at a time. As a result of such long term treatments, patients were developing serious side effects such as Neuroleptic Malignant syndrome, Akathisia, ocular deviation and, of course, tardive dyskinesia.The makers of Reglan, Wyeth, has been sued by countless patients, all claiming that the company didn't properly warn them of the harmful side effects and that it purposely omitted information about long term treatment on the label.
As to how the Reglan settlements will be decided, that will likely depend on the severity of the conditions suffered by patients because of the pill and whether it prevents sufferers from being able to work. For example, with TD, a patient may not be able to work properly as the disorder causes them suffer from involuntary movements in the face and extremities and the condition can be permanent for some people. However, most side effects suffered from Reglan often can be stopped after the patient stops taking Reglan.
Another thing that might affect settlement amounts is how much liability the jury holds against Wyeth. This will all depend on how far the company went to downplay the negative side effects from the public and/or doctors. Lastly, settlement amounts will likely be different for younger patients than older ones, with the younger patients receiving more money. This is because such potentially harmful side effects are often considered more debilitating in a young person because the younger generally don't have any pre-existing conditions.
