The lawsuit, filed against the makers of Xarelto, alleges that the medication, which is designed to prevent strokes, instead prevented the plaintiff’s blood from properly congealing. The plaintiff, Sonja Lemoins, filed the 90-count complaint in Madison County, Illinois, against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bayer Corporation and several related companies.

Lemoins alleges that while the defendants marketed the drug as an effective and safe treatment to reduce the risk of systemic embolism and stroke, they had learned from clinical trials that the medication could cause an increase in excess bleeding, including bleeding that required transfusions, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

According to the lawsuit, in 2012, there were 2,081 reports filed of adverse events involving the drug, with 151 resulting in death.

Lemoins alleges that the defendants’ negligence caused her severe injuries, and she seeks a judgment of more than $4.35 million.

An MDL proceeding was established by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation for Xarelto complaints in the Eastern District of Louisiana, assigned to federal judge Eldon E. Fallon. On March 5, Lemoins’ lawsuit was removed to the MDL court, along with four other lawsuits from other jurisdictions.

Paul Greenberg is a Chicago medical malpractice lawyer with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.

The five-year-old boy suffered from cleft lip and other birth injuries after being exposed to Topamax while his mother was pregnant.

The verdict came just weeks after another multi-million dollar verdict against Janssen Pharmaceuticals, also regarding birth injuries suffered after exposure to Topamax.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said that the verdicts confirmed that Janssen knew of the risks of birth injuries when Topamax was taken by pregnant mothers, but failed to warn physicians of the danger and continued to market the drug.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys also said that the large verdicts were appropriate, as the children’s birth injuries will necessitate numerous surgeries and will have long-lasting effects on their health.

A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson said the company was disappointed in the verdict and planned to appeal. The drug maker said that the evidence indicated that the mother and her doctor were aware of the side effects of the drug. Johnson & Johnson also said that the jury failed to consider critical factors, including other potential causes of the birth injuries.

Bob Briskman is a Chicago injury attorney with Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. To learn more call 1.877.595.4878 or visit http://www.briskmanandbriskman.com/.