New Jersey Jury Awards $12.89 Million in Accutane IBD Verdict
A New Jersey jury has awarded three persons combined compensatory damages of $12.89 million in an Accutane lawsuit against pharmaceutical company Hoffman La-Roche for its failure to adequately inform them of the dangerous side effects of its popular anti-acne medication, Accutane. The verdict by the Atlantic City, NJ jury was only the most recent in a string of judgments against Hoffman La-Roche in courts in other states, over allegations that the anti-acne drug had caused severe bowel maladies that persisted even after discontinuation of the drug.
The three plaintiffs, Kelly Mace, Jordan Speisman, and Lance Sager, all Florida residents, began taking Accutane about a decade ago for treatment of acne. They were in their teens, and the drug had been prescribed to them by their doctors. Soon after, the three began to experience symptoms of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) that soon flared into full fledged forms of the condition, including Ulcerative Colitis, and Crohn's Disease. Speisman will soon undergo surgery to remove his colon, while Sager and Mace will need to continue drug therapy to control their symptoms for the rest of their lives. Worse, all three are faced with a life that has an increased risk of colon cancer.
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At the trial, the jury saw evidence that the company had for long been aware of the fact that Accutane damaged the gastrointestinal tract, triggering IBD. It was back in 1984 that the company warned doctors of a possible association between the medication and IBD, but when studies later proved that there was more than just a "possibility" of the drug causing serious gastrointestinal disorders, the company chose to remain silent about these effects. The labels on the products that should have carried warnings of these side effects were not altered at all, with the consequence that several users found themselves facing IBD symptoms. There are presently at least 600 cases relating to Accutane against Hoffman La-Roche around the country.
Although the spotlight has focused on Accutane and its links to IBD, the drug has also given the FDA several headaches, relating to its effects on pregnant women, as well as its psychiatric side effects. Accutane has been found linked to severe birth defects, including mental retardation, missing ears, heart defects and other deformities in the fetus. Legislation has made it harder for women of child bearing age to obtain access to this medication, and potential users are even required to sign a consent form before they can access the drug. Accutane has also been found linked to suicidal fantasies, suicides, and anxiety, and has found itself the focus of lawsuits relating to these.
Everyday, more patients are pursuing lawsuits against Hoffman La-Roche for its negligence in promoting Accutane, even as it continued to be aware of its serious side effects. If you or a loved one have suffered Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD), Ulcerative Colitis, or Crohn's' Disease as a result of taking Accutane, it's important to know that you have legal rights that you can protect. Contact our New Jersey personal injury lawyers' office, for more information on how you can obtain compensation for your injuries.
