Federal Panel Adds Fournier's Gangrene to Crowded Invokana MDL Court

In the latest Invokana lawsuit update, DrugNews has learned that a federal judicial panel has transferred new cases alleging a rare genital gangrene was caused by the popular diabetes drug Invokana to a special court that was already handling more than 1,000 claims for other side effects.

Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) court number 2750, located in the United States Federal District of New Jersey, is a special venue that was created in December 2016 to handle a growing number of lawsuits alleging side effects from Invokana.

At the time, these claims were limited to ketoacidosis and kidney damage. However, as the FDA uncovered new and unknown risks of the drug like lower limb amputations, the litigation grew to include other side effects.

At present, federal records show 1,190 people have now filed claims in the Invokana court for a variety of serious side effects.

The latest claims come after the FDA warned on August 29, 2018 that certain diabetes drugs in the SGLT2 class, like Invokana, Jardiance and Farxiga, might be associated with a rare gangrene of the genital area called Fournier’s Gangrene.

Fournier’s gangrene can spread quickly if not diagnosed and treated early, and can result in painful surgeries, extended hospital stays, or even death.

On June 4, 2019, the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation transferred two cases alleging Fournier’s Gangrene from Invokana to the larger Invokana MDL court, saying that it will expedite litigation to keep all Invokana side effect lawsuits together.

Although the cases from Kentucky and New York were only the second and third ever to be moved to the main Invokana MDL court, experts predict thousands could follow as more victims learn of the connection between their medication and this terrible condition.

In Invokana settlement news, insiders have reported that Johnson & Johnson is attempting to reach settlements in many of the cases filed already. The company has reportedly paid compensation to hundreds of victims of ketoacidosis or amputations, and may next turn their attention to cases alleging Fournier’s Gangrene.

In addition, DrugNews previously reported that Invokana had also been linked to rare cases of bladder cancer or kidney cancer, with lawyers also investigating claims against the manufacturer for these victims.

Follow DrugNews for the latest Invokana settlement updates, as well as breaking news on FDA warnings, drug safety studies and litigation.

For more information, or to speak directly with an attorney about your experience with a defective drug, contact us today.