The U.S. District Judge presiding over the Dabigatran federal MDL has appointed a mediator to meet with both sides on a monthly basis to encourage a settlement agreement. The lawsuits are the result of excessive bleeding risks that have been linked to the drug’s use.

Dabigatran was originally meant to be used as a safer alternative anticoagulant medication to Warfarin, which is used to treat atrial fibrillation (AF) and other heart complications. However, Dabigatran (brand name Pradaxa) was found to be just as dangerous as Warfarin or worse because it caused uncontrollable and excessive bleeding. Most recently a study even showed that Dabigatran increased the risk of heart attacks. These side effects are why over 1,100 lawsuits have been filed in U.S. District Courts throughout the country. So many lawsuits were filed, in fact, that they had to be centralized before Judge David R. Herndon in the Southern District of Illinois for pretrial proceedings. All of the cases involve the plaintiffs indicating that Boehringer Ingelheim, the makers of Dabigatran, failed to properly warn them and healthcare professionals of the dangers linked to Dabigatran use.

On July 15, 2013, a case management order was issued by Judge Herndon that announced that he had appointed John Perry to serve as mediator during the negotiations. Both parties have been directed to have at least one in-person negotiation session that is to take place no later than September 2013. Should the negotiations not work, Herndon has also scheduled four trials that will be held between August 2014 and February 2015.

Dabigatran is only one drug used to treat atrial fibrillation and other heart conditions. Another anticoagulant medication used is Multaq, made by Sanofi-Aventis. Multaq has also been linked to serious side effects which include a worsening of the heart condition, liver failure and lung toxicity. These side effects have forced the FDA to issue a recommendation that Multaq not be used unless all other medications have failed.

If you or someone you love has suffered from any side effects linked to Multaq use, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at Multaq litigation and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.