When Deborah Swigert lost her husband two years ago to cardiac arrest, she never imagined that his death could’ve been – should’ve been – prevented. Now, however, the widow has filed a lawsuit against Fresenius Medical Care entities for their role in her husband’s death. Her lawsuit alleges that the company manufactured, marketed, advertised, sold, and distributed GranuFlo and NaturaLyte knowing that patients were at an increased risk for injury and death.

Dangerous Dialysis Drugs

Deborah’s lawsuit is just one of many that have begun to crop up across the country since GranuFlo and NaturaLyte were recalled earlier this year. GranuFlo and NaturaLyte are acid concentrates that are used during dialysis to help reduce the amount of acid that is in the blood. Unfortunately, these products contain a higher level of an ingredient that is converted to bicarbonate in the body. This in turn can produce a state of alkalosis in the body which significantly increases the risk of cardiac arrest and death in patients who are undergoing dialysis treatment.

According to reports, Fresenius Medical Care knew of this danger and the horrific side effects, yet failed to warn customers and physicians of this increased risk. In 2011, the company sent a memo to dialysis clinics that it owned that warned of increased risks. The memo stated that 941 patients had suffered cardiac arrest in their clinics and that they had determined that this was due to the increased bicarbonate. Theydid not, however, send this memo to the thousands of other customers and clinics across the country still using their products. On March 29, 2012, the company suddenly issued an Urgent Product Notification to its customers, but this came only after the FDA learned of the 2011 memo and began an investigation.

GranuFlo Lawsuits and Dialysis Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or someone you love has suffered a cardiac arrest or a major heart complication after taking GranuFlo or NaturaLyte during dialysis, it is important to know that you are not alone. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and decreased quality of life. Learn more about filing a GranuFlo or dialysis lawsuit by calling the experienced Washington dialysis lawsuit lawyers at Phillips Law Firm today. Call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Washington class action lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

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