Litigation Continues to Pursue GlaxoSmithKline Over Avandia

A deluge of Avandia lawsuits persists in adding weight to GlaxoSmithKline’s (GSK) long-suspected link between Avandia and patients experiencing adverse heart effects. In the wake of these accusations, GSK continues to face intense public scrutiny as Avandia lawsuits continue to be filed. Litigation persists because experts have estimated between 60,000 and 200,000 people have experienced Avandia related heart attacks and deaths in the United States due to cardiovascular problems between 1999 and 2006.

Last year alone, the world renowned drug maker was forced to reach an agreement and close the books on more than 10,000 Avandia lawsuits. Thousands of these aforementioned Avandia lawsuits were filed by plaintiffs who proclaimed that they suffered from severe heart problems caused by the popular diabetes medication. The average compensation that plaintiffs received was estimated to range between $46,000 and $70,000.

Despite any indications that Avandia lawsuits may be reaching their end, relentless litigation continues to pursue GSK and their diabetes medication. In fact, one of the newest complaints was filed as recently as May 3, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The lawsuit was filed by the family of Linda Beam, a 61 year old woman who suffered a cardiac death in May 2009 after taking Avandia for ten years.

Avandia lawyers have been working incessantly around the clock in an attempt to put an end to years of litigation. However, recent statements made in a federal court suggest that there are still about 5,300 Avandia lawsuits that remain pending. Rather than negotiating a global settlement to resolve the remaining Avandia lawsuits, GlaxoSmithKline has been attempting to negotiate small group settlements with Avandia lawyers representing a large numbers of clients.