Burton LeBlanc of Baron and Budd Appointed to Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in GranuFlo, NaturaLyte Litigation
LOS ANGELES –(August 15, 2013) –Burton LeBlanc, shareholder at Baron and Budd, has been appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) in the litigation surrounding GranuFlo and its sister product NaturaLyte. This committee oversees all activity in the lawsuit and works to protect the rights of people who have filed lawsuits against Fresenius for health issues allegedly linked to GranuFlo use.
“I’m honored to have been selected to such a prestigious team of upstanding attorneys,” said LeBlanc. “I’m especially honored to have the opportunity to help people who have been harmed by GranuFlo use, and I am confident that we can achieve a positive outcome on their behalf.”
GranuFlo, along with NaturaLyte, was commonly used in dialysis treatments in clinics owned and operated by Fresenius Medical Care, the manufacturer of GranuFlo, although it was used in other dialysis facilities as well. GranuFlo contains an ingredient that metabolizes in the body as bicarbonate, and GranuFlo contains more of this ingredient than competitor pharmaceutical products. Studies have found that elevated levels of bicarbonate in the blood have the potential to cause heart attacks and other serious health issues. Fresenius allegedly knew about these potentially dangerous side effects, as evidenced by an internal company memo anonymously sent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), yet failed to immediately alert the users of its product.
The PSC is appointed as part of the creation of a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). A MDL is created when a large number of lawsuits are filed against the same entity regarding the same, or similar, issues. Once these cases are consolidated into a MDL, the cases can move forward more quickly and efficiently.
LeBlanc is a veteran trial attorney and currently serves as the president of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). He has dedicated his career to protecting the environment and ensuring access to the civil justice system.
Baron and Budd has been active in pharmaceutical litigation for decades. The firm currently represents thousands of people who have been harmed by use of the diabetes drug Avandia. Baron and Budd also represents numerous states in litigation involving the marketing of Avandia. Previously the firm was involved in negotiating a global settlement totaling $1.275 billion on behalf of people who had been harmed by using diet drug Fen-Phen.
Baron and Budd is currently handling lawsuits related to GranuFlo, Transvaginal Mesh, Lipitor and Actos. To learn more or see if you have a case, call us at 1.866.844.4556 or visit //www.druginjurynews.com/dangerous-drugs-devices/pharmaceuticals//granuflo-lawyer/.
About Baron & Budd
With offices in Dallas, Austin, Baton Rouge and Los Angeles, Baron and Budd is a nationally recognized law firm with more than 35 years of experience “Protecting What’s Right” for people, businesses and communities harmed by negligence corporations and practices. Because of Baron and Budd’s size and resources, the law firm is capable of handling large and complex cases. Baron and Budd represents both individuals and governmental and business entities in areas as diverse as mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure, deceptive advertising, harmful drugs, medical devices, FLSA violations, toxic exposure, the Gulf oil spill, consumer financial fraud and water contamination.