The New York Times reported on an investigation conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Fresenius Medical Care. Fresenius is a German company that manufactures and distributes dialysis machines, and also operates dialysis clinics. It is estimated that more than a third of American dialysis patients are served in one way or another by Fresenius Medical Care. That means between 100,000 and 2000,000 Americans using Fresenius products or services. The reason the FDA investigated Fresenius is that an internal memo was anonymously leaked to the public about a potential problem with GranuFlo,® a dialysis product manufactured and distributed by Fresenius. The memo, which was sent to physicians at company-operated clinics, gave instructions beyond those on the product labeling, to ensure the safety of patients. Unfortunately, these instructions were not provided to physicians working with GranuFlo® at non-Fresenius clinics. Representatives of the FDA expressed concern that, although Fresenius felt the need to warn their own employees of their concerns with the product, they did not alert the general public on their own. Fresenius Medical Care’s chief medical officer indicated that the company had no way to alert non-company clinics.
Have you lost a loved one who used GranuFlo®? Contact a dedicated medical product liability attorney immediately to discuss your options.
While the phrase product liability turns up in the news once in a while, many people don’t understand what it actually means. Companies that manufacture and distribute consumer products have a legal responsibility to the safety of consumers. If a product is designed or manufactured in such a way as to be unsafe, the company may need to stop production, and they may need to issue a recall. When a company fails to warn consumers that a product may be unsafe, the may be held liable for damages caused by the product. These damages may take the form of medical bills, lost wages, and in the event that the product causes premature death, their may be damages for loss of companionship and pain and suffering. In the case of Fresenius Medical Care, it appears that the company knew that their product had a problem, but notified only the physicians who worked at the company’s own clinics.
If you or a loved one have been injured by GranuFlo,® contact a dedicated Medical product liability attorney right away to discuss your options. Unfortunately, a large number of people who experienced problems from GranuFlo® died from dialysis complications such as serious heart conditions. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has helped numerous people who have lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. If you have lost a loved one because a medical product manufacturer failed to warn of the danger of their products, contact Jeremy to discuss your options. You may be entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as well as loss of companionship. No one should have to face financial hardship on top of emotional suffering because of the negligence of someone else. For more information and a FREE CONSULTATION, contact the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal today at (303)825-2223.
