Chantix: Who Can Sue?

 

Chantix lawsuits have been filed in both federal and state courts in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and New York, and many more are expected. 

 

It is likely that as additional federal lawsuits are filed, they will be consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, a special body within the U.S. Federal Court system, has the power to transfer similar pending lawsuits filed in multiple districts to a single judge in a single jurisdiction for pre-trial proceedings.

 

If you or a loved one is currently experiencing Chantix side effects you should immediately consult with your prescribing physician. If you are concerned about the side effects, you (or your physician) can also report your experience to a MedWatch, the FDA’s Safety Information and Adverse Reporting Program.

 

Because the statute of limitations and other factors may play a role in your right to sue, don’t jeopardize your legal options by waiting too long to decide. Consult an experienced pharmaceutical attorney as soon as possible in order to determine if you have a viable claim. 

 

Examples of Negligence

 

The first Chantix lawsuit was filed in July 2008, in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis. The plaintiff was the widow of a 59-year-old Indiana man with no previous history of mental illness who committed suicide while taking Chantix.

 

He began experiencing mood swings after Chantix was prescribed by his doctor in October 2007. That January his wife found him in his van, dead from a self-inflicted bullet to the head. Her lawsuit alleges that Pfizer failed to warn consumers that Chantix might cause serious psychiatric symptoms, including erratic behavior and suicidal thoughts. 

A second Chantix lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by a man who was hospitalized in August 2007. He alleges that Chantix induced his episode of manic and violent psychosis.

 

Other pending lawsuits include the family of a woman who used a handgun to kill herself in front of her two children, and a man in his late 30s who committed suicide in front of his wife and 8-year-old son.

 

Potential Recovery

 

Although many Chantix lawsuits have been filed in state and federal courts, none have reached the trial stage yet. No benchmark jury award or settlement figure is available at this time.

 

If you believe you have developed a serious condition as a result of using Chantix, contact a Chantix Attorney who specializes in products liability cases right away.