Oral Arguments Hearing Scheduled For GDD MDL

Oral Arguments Hearing Scheduled For GDD MDL

Introduction

In an order issued on August 16, the U.S. JPML agreed to hear oral arguments on September 27, in San Francisco, California, regarding the centralization of gadolinium toxicity lawsuits filed against the manufacturers of MRI contrast dyes over Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD).

A group of plaintiffs involved in the growing lawsuits against the makers of MRI contrast dyes, filed a motion in July requesting for a multidistrict litigation (MDL) formation for all Linear Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents (GBCA) lawsuits. The court will decide after the oral arguments whether to consolidate all gadolinium cases filed before one judge in the  Northern District of California.

There are nearly two dozen complaints against the makers of linear gadolinium-based contrast agents such as Magnevist, Omniscan, MultiHance, and others, alleging that the manufacturers failed to warn that gadolinium deposition would lead to persistent headaches, bone, and joint pain, mental acuity problems, skin thickening, and Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD) as potential adverse effects.

Gadolinium multidistrict litigation (MDL 1909; In Re: Gadolinium Contrast Dyes Products Liability Litigation) related to Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), reported to occur in individuals with the renal disorder have been settled by the manufacturer and an FDA warning to avoid using the gadolinium agents in people with kidney disorders.