Imagine walking down the street and suddenly one or both of your femur bones just break. This investigative report by ABC News relates to the problem caused by side-effects of the drug Fosamax, where a person’s thigh bone (femur) can unexpectedly break under low-impact activities as basic as walking. This video shows you the potentially dangerous and painful reality of long-term use of this drug.
If you know someone that has used this drug or is currently using it and has experienced a femur break or osteonecrosis of the jaw where the jawbone literally deteriorates from use of this drug and needs a Fosamax attorney, please contact us today.
Since 2004, drug manufacturer Merck has dealt with thousands of lawsuits dealing with its painkiller drug Vioxx, which has been linked to heart attacks, strokes and death. Now, the same drug maker is facing more lawsuits due to its prescription drug Fosamax, which millions are now taking for osteoporosis. Fosamax has been tied to a serious condition called Osteonecrosis of the Jaw or ‘Dead Jaw.’ Now those victims of dead jaw are lining up to file lawsuits against Merck.
Fosamax Class Action Ruling Expected to Result in Many More Dead Jaw Syndrome Lawsuits Against Merck
People taking Fosamax for osteoporosis are now facing concerns that they risk developing Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ). For those who have developed ONJ, their legal recourse is to file individual lawsuits against Fosamax manufacturer Merck. If successful, the settlements from these lawsuits will pay for on-going medical treatments and compensation for pain and suffering associated with the condition. A recent federal court ruling has refused class action status for Fosamax complaints, thus pushing many of these cases toward individual lawsuits.
Fosamax is one of the most-prescribed drugs in America, as millions have taken or are now taking it to prevent bone loss in men and women, due primarily to osteoporosis. Fosamax now faces mounting concerns that its use may lead to a serious side effect called osteonecrosis of the jaw, also known as Dead Jaw or ONJ. Dead Jaw happens when the jaw bone tissue dies. People who have dental work done while taking Fosamax are mostly likely to be at risk.
Vioxx has led to over 11,000 individual lawsuits for its manufacturer Merck. Now the company is facing 15 individual lawsuits over its osteoporosis drug Fosamax and certainly more are to come. The problem is that Fosamax has been found to cause Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (ONJ), which if untreated causes the jaw to deteriorate. Despite the link between Fosamax and ONJ, Merck continued to market the drug. In 2005, the drug produced sales around $3.2 billion.