Why Fosamax Class Action Lawsuits?

Ultimately, the reason why Fosamax class action lawsuits are brought to the courts is simple: it’s about the power of numbers. While an individual may be able to indicate that the damages that they have were the result of taking Fosamax, the evidence becomes more compelling when multiple persons with the same symptoms and damages come together.

What Is the Foundation of Fosamax Class Action Lawsuits?

The majority of Fosamax class action lawsuits have involved those patients suffering from osteonecrosis of the jaw and who have experienced a number of symptoms such as jaw pain, gun infections and exposed areas of bone inside the mouth as well as those patients who have needed surgery to remove exposed portions of bone. Additionally, those who have suffered osteonecrosis in other bones – most notably the hip, knee and shoulder – that leads to pain and reduced movement in the joint have been represented in class action lawsuits.

The cases that have been brought against Merck allege the following:

• The drug manufacturer was aware of Fosamax side effects including the risk of jaw necrosis and bone decay and continued to produce and market the medication.
• Not only did Merck continue to produce, distribute and market Fosamax knowing the risks, but also the company did not provide an adequate warning about the drug.
• By not indicating the risks of Fosamax, Merck hid their knowledge that the drug could put patients at an unreasonable risk.
• Because Merck has not fully acknowledged the risks of Fosamax and continues to market the drug to patients and medical care providers the company is intentionally causing confusion and distributing misinformation.
• That FDA warnings about the dangers of serious side effects of taking Fosamax should have led to additional safety testing but instead Merck focused on attempts to extend their exclusive rights to sell the medication – finding additional uses for Fosamax.

How Many Fosamax Lawsuits Have Been Filed?

While there is not one clear number of Fosamax lawsuits that have been filed, some recent reports indicate that nearly 700 Fosamax suits have been filed. In the same Drug Injury Watch report, reports indicate that Merck (the maker of Fosamax and Vioxx – another prescription medication that has led to legal action) has set aside nearly $50 million to address those lawsuits.

Fosamax Class Action Lawsuit

In addition to some individual cases that have been filed against Merck by patients who have taken Fosamax, a first class action lawsuit linking Fosamax to osteonecrosis of the jaw was filed in April of 2006 in Florida. Other states and areas have filed similar lawsuits alleging that Merck knew Fosamax could cause osteonecrosis of the jaw after similar medications were linked to the condition but did not make patients aware of the risk in an effort to maintain profits.

In many cases, if you are suffering from serious Fosamax side effects, you could be included in one of these class action suits.

Questions to Ask When You Choose a Fosamax Lawyer

When you are talking with attorneys about a Fosamax case, you are going to want to be sure to ask the following questions:

• Where did you get your education and how experienced are you in this field?
• How many cases similar to mine have you handled?
• What are the possible outcomes of filing this Fosamax lawsuit?
• What are the alternatives to filing a Fosamax lawsuit based on my case alone?
• How long will it take to file and resolve my lawsuit?
• Would mediation or arbitration be more effective than a court case?
• What will I be charged for a Fosamax lawsuit?
• How frequently will we be working together and how will you keep me informed about the progress that’s being made?
• Will there be others from your office – including paralegals or junior attorneys – that will be working on my case?
• What approach are you going to take with my case and how will that help to bring about a resolution to my Fosamax lawsuit?

Ultimately, you are going to want to be sure that you are working with a lawyer that you will be able to have a sound relationship with as a Fosamax case could take a long while to settle. If you are looking for a Fosamax lawyer but have not yet settled on someone, you can have a Fosamax lawyer contact you by filling out the request for more information on this page.

What’s Involved in Filing a Fosamax Law Suit?

In order to file a Fosamax law suit, you need to be able to prove that you have a case. It’s a good idea to look at those cases that have been filed already to determine whether or not your situation is similar. The next thing that you are going to want to do is to consult a lawyer who can review your case.

What Information Will a Lawyer Need to Determine Whether or Not I Have a Case?

When you think you have a case after taking Fosamax, you’re going to want to have a lawyer review your evidence. In general, a lawyer will need information about:

• The case that you believe you have.
• The damages that you suffered.
• When you started to take Fosamax and when you stopped taking the drug.
• The name of the doctor who prescribed Fosamax.
• Your medical records – and whether or not it is possible for you to provide a copy of them.

It is only be reviewing your information and getting answers to additional questions that a Fosamax lawyer will be able to determine whether or not you have a case. If you do, your lawyer will be in the best position to explain the process of moving forward.

Do I Need to Find a Lawyer Who Is Well Known for Taking Fosamax Cases?

If you are looking at filing a Fosamax lawsuit, you may wonder about whether or not you should be looking for a lawyer who specifically handles those cases. While it’s important to know that you are looking at a qualified attorney – and while it is beneficial to work with someone who understands case law as it pertains to lawsuits relating to medications – you do not need to look for someone who is well known for cases involving a specific medication.

So What Should I Be Looking for in a Fosamax Lawyer?

When you are working with any lawyer, you should be sure that you find someone who:

• You feel comfortable with.
• Has experience with medical cases.
• Takes the time to determine whether or not you have a case.

In other words, you’re going to want to focus on finding a lawyer who will listen to the evidence and who will help you to determine the best course of action.

So How Do I Find a Fosamax Lawyer?

If you believe that you have a case but don’t have a Fosamax lawyer already, take a moment to fill out the request form at the side of this page and a qualified attorney will contact you to discuss the details.