If you or a loved one has suffered from heart failure while taking Onglyza or Kombiglyze XR Lawsuit, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact our law firm today to learn about your legal rights.
People suing Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca over Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR allege these drugs caused serious cardiac problems and sometimes death. The companies ignored patient safety and began selling these drugs before conducting the required studies, lawsuits say.
What is a Lawsuit?
A lawsuit is a court proceeding in which one party (the plaintiff) brings a claim against another party (the defendant) to recover damages for something that has happened. Lawsuits are often part of civil law, rather than criminal law, involving things that are financial or personal in nature.
A plaintiff can be a single person or a small group of people, like a corporation. In some cases, a government may also be a party to a lawsuit, as it can represent an interest in the dispute.
Usually, a lawsuit starts with the plaintiff filing a legal document called a “complaint” in a court. The complaint lays out the facts and why a plaintiff is asking for monetary relief from the defendant.
If the plaintiff is successful, they can receive money from the defendant to compensate them for their damages and losses. They can also get injunctions from the judge to prevent the defendant from doing something or requiring them to do something else.
How Can I File a Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one took the type 2 diabetes medication Onglyza (saxagliptin) or Kombiglyze XR (saxagliptin and metformin HCI extended release) and suffered heart failure, pancreatic cancer, or other serious side effects, you may have a legal claim against the drug’s manufacturers. Lawsuits allege that AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb concealed the drugs’ cardiovascular risks from doctors and patients.
Onglyza and Kombiglyze XR are a class of drugs called DPP-4 inhibitors that work by breaking down a hormone called GLP-1 that tells the body to make insulin. But the FDA has warned that these drugs increase the risk of heart failure and other problems, lawsuits say.
The manufacturers of Onglyza and Kombiglyze ignored the 2008 FDA guidance and began selling these medications without completing cardiac safety studies. The drugs increased the risk of congestive heart failure, a dangerous condition in which the heart doesn’t pump blood efficiently.
How Much Can I Receive in a Lawsuit?
Depending on the specifics of your case, you can expect to see an average settlement amount ranging from a few hundred dollars up to a couple of thousand or more. Often, this figure will be based on the insurance coverage available from your own car insurer or the underlying accident.
There are many factors that go into determining a settlement amount, from medical expenses to lost wages to pain and suffering. The most expensive claims are those involving injuries resulting in death or permanent disability.
It is also not uncommon for a settlement to be a combination of several different monetary awards. Some of these may include a jury award, which is the largest prize awarded to a winning plaintiff, an insurance award from your own car insurer, or even a cash payout from a third party. While there is no exact way to calculate a settlement, most attorneys will recommend that you file as soon as possible after your incident so that you are sure to get what you deserve.
How Can I Contact an Attorney?
If you or a loved one suffered from heart failure after taking Onglyza or Kombiglyze XR, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the drug makers. This can help you recover financial compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
Lawsuits against Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca allege that the manufacturers knew about an increased risk of cardiovascular problems in patients treated with Onglyza or Kombiglyze, but failed to warn them. As a result, the drugs have caused serious cardiac complications and even death.
The drugs are saxagliptin-based diabetes medicines. They help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
In 2008, the FDA required diabetes drugmakers to show that their drugs did not increase the risk of heart problems in people with diabetes. But, according to lawsuits, BMS and AZ ignored this safety requirement and began selling Onglyza and Kombiglyze in 2009 before conducting the studies that were required.
In addition, lawsuits claim that the two drugs increased the risk of pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. These serious side effects can lead to hospitalization and even death.