A man has settled his personal injury lawsuit with drug manufacturer giant, Pfizer Inc., for an undisclosed amount, due to their smoking cessation drug that caused the man to have suicidal thoughts, as reported by Alabama Live.
B.B. Jr., of Demopolis, claimed in the suit that he began having psychological problems after he was prescribed the drug Chantix in 2007.
B.B. Jr., 54, was a smoker for 34 years.
There are over 2,600 lawsuits filed in federal courts across the nation that are making similar claims against Pfizer – B.B. Jr.'s was one of the first.
According to B.B. Jr.'s attorney, Ernest Cory, a settlement was reached on January 15, a few days ahead of the January 23 court date. Cory told U.S. District Judge Inge P. Johnson that attorneys should have an order to dismiss the case presented to her within the next 30 days.
A spokesman representing Pfizer said that the public would not learn the terms of the settlement.
Corey said, "Mr. (B.B. Jr.) and his family have been through an incredible ordeal and they are pleased this case is settled and can close this chapter of their lives. And I wish them the best going forward."
The spokesman for Chantix, Chris Loder, commented that the agreement was met "in principle under confidential terms."
In defense of the medication Loder added, "We believe that Chantix is an important treatment option for smokers who want to quit and the company stands by the medicine and its continued use in appropriate patients. As the health benefits of quitting smoking are immediate and substantial the company will continue to defend this important FDA approved medicine in the courts."
B.B. Jr.'s lawsuit is the first test case to come to trial. Other allegations in the hundreds of lawsuits pending include symptoms such as: suicide, attempted suicide, suicidal thoughts, psychological problems, anxiety and aggressiveness.
A similar case, filed by a woman in Minnesota, J.W., who lost her husband to suicide, was settled with Pfizer in October. Cory commented, "I am very happy for Mrs. (J.W.) and her family that they were able to get this resolved… there are still thousands of other families who have had their lives destroyed by this drug and who are waiting for their day in court."
All of the cases are to be heard by Judge Johnson. The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation assigned all of the cases to Johnson in late 2009.
B.B. Jr.'s lawsuit claimed that he experienced "suicidal ideations, memory loss, depression, erratic behavior, mood swings, anxiety, and hospitalization" after he began taking Chantix.
Loder further claimed, "We believe there is no reliable evidence to demonstrate that Chantix causes serious neuropsychiatric adverse events like those alleged in this case."
Judge Johnson spoke with Pfizer attorney Joseph G. Petrosinelli on the day of the settlement announcement. Petrosinelli requested a status conference within the next 60 days. He would like to come to a decision as to how litigation should proceed, and which case should be selected next.
If you have consumed a product or medication that caused you harm contact a personal injury lawyer to file a lawsuit right away!