Four More Contaminated Heparin Lawsuits being Filed in Toledo

Toledo, OHFour more people are filing lawsuits in the Toledo, Ohio area against Baxter Healthcare, the maker of the drug heparin, stating that the drug was contaminated when it was given to their family members.

It was three months ago when Baxter began voluntarily recalling the blood thinner and, as of Thursday April 16, 2008, four more families are filing wrongful death lawsuits. The lawsuits are being filed on behalf of Dennis Staples, Loretta LaCourse, Vivian Colquitt, and Lawrence Matten. The complaints state that these individuals were given heparin during their hemodialysis to avoid blood clotting while the blood passed through the dialysis machine.

One of those who passed, Dennis Staples, was a former Toledo radio personality and was looking forward to his 60th birthday despite his troubles with kidney disease and diabetes. It was the day before his celebration that he had slipped into a coma and passed away. His wife, Johanna Staples, has become one of the faces of the many lawsuits filed against Baxter over the allegations that the contaminated drug caused deaths throughout the country.

It was late 2007 when these individuals began experiencing severe and unusual reactions after receiving dialysis. According to the lawsuits, the reactions that were experienced were as those who had adverse reactions to the contaminated heparin, so it is their belief that the drug is the cause of their loved ones death.

The number of lawsuits against Baxter in the Toledo area are now up to seven and there are many more lawsuits that have been filed throughout the United States. The four deaths in the Toledo area have been reported to the FDA by the law firm representing their family so that they can be investigated further. The FDA has, however, determined that the heparin was chemically modified with a substance that was cheaper but looked like heparin. There have been some cases found that showed that half of the drug was replaced with the substance over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate.

A spokesman for Baxter has said that there has been four deaths reported that state heparin was injected before adverse reactions and death occurred. However, they state that they have no confirmations that the death was a direct result of the heparin.

It is estimated by the FDA that over one-million vials of heparin are sold every month in the United States and Baxter makes about 50% of those doses, according to the lawsuits. As for damages, the damages exceed $75,000.

By: Ginger Gillenwater