NEW YORK, Feb. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has refused to grant a motion seeking centralization of all federally-filed lawsuits involving proton pump inhibitors and serious kidney injuries in a single U.S. District Court. In an Order issued on February 2, 2017, the Panel said a number of factors drove its decision, including the differing heartburn drugs involved in the litigation, as well as the need to protect trade secrets among the various defendants. (In re: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation – MDL No. 2757)

"Despite this decision, our Firm is continuing to evaluate potential proton pump inhibitor lawsuits involving kidney failure, chronic kidney disease and other serious renal injuries. Currently pending cases will continue to move through the courts, and we expect additional filings in the future. The question of centralization may even be taken up again at a later date," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective drugs and medical devices. The Firm is actively filing proton pump inhibitor lawsuits on behalf of patients who allegedly suffered kidney complications due to their use of Nexium and similar heartburn drugs.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Litigation

Proton pump inhibitors are indicated for the short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other stomach problems related to the excess production of gastric acid. The class encompasses both prescription and over-the-counter medications, including:

• Nexium
• Nexium 24HR
• Prilosec (omeprazole)
• Prilosec OTC
• PrevAcid (lansoprazole)
• PrevAcid 24HR
• Dexilant, Kapidex (dexlansoprazole)
• Aciphex (rabeprazole)
• Protonix (pantoprazole)
• Vimovo (naproxen and esomeprazole magnesium)
• Zegerid (omeprazole and sodium bicarbonate)

 In 2013, more than 15 million Americans used prescription proton pump inhibitors, at a cost of more than $10 billion. In recent years, however, a number of studies have suggested that long-term use of these medications may increase a patient's risk for chronic kidney disease, renal failure, acute interstitial nephritis, and acute kidney injury.

Plaintiffs motioned for centralization of all federal lawsuits involving proton pump inhibitors and kidney complications last October. At the time, just over a dozen cases were pending in various federal courts around the country. However, during oral arguments last month, plaintiffs' attorneys informed the JPML that nearly 100 cases are now pending, and  predicted that the litigation will eventually grow to include thousands of claims.

Proton pump inhibitor patients who were diagnosed with serious kidney complications may be able file a case of their own. To learn more, please visit Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or call 800-511-5092 to arrange for a free, no obligation case review.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.

Bernstein Liebhard LLP 
10 East 40th Street 
New York, New York 10016 
800-511-5092

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. © 2017 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, 800-511-5092. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information: 
Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq. 
Bernstein Liebhard LLP 
info(at)consumerinjurylawyers(dot)com
http://www.rxinjuryhelp.com/ 
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SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP

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