Connecticut Truvada Lawsuit Attorneys

Although there is still no cure for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a development called antiretroviral therapy (ART) has drastically improved life expectancy outcomes for individuals diagnosed with HIV.

Antiretroviral therapy includes the use of antiretroviral drugs such as Truvada.

Truvada is made up of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). NRTIs work by blocking HIV infected cells from dividing and replicating.

Gilead Sciences, Inc., developed and manufactures Truvada, as well as several other antiviral drugs, including Atripla, Complera, Stribild, and Viread.

Unfortunately, Truvada has been discovered to cause serious, life-threatening health conditions. The danger lies behind the TDF component, which must be taken in high doses in order for it to be effective. As a result of this abundance of TDF, users have begun to suffer from bone demineralization and kidney failure.

If you have a history of taking Truvada, seek support from your medical provider and contact an experienced defective drug lawsuit attorney. Call the Connecticut Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 today for a FREE initial case review.

Past Truvada Lawsuits

41 plaintiffs from different states across the country have filed personal injury lawsuits after suffering from bone and/or kidney-related injuries after taking Truvada. In May 2018, attorneys filed a lawsuit on behalf of two California residents who suffered bone demineralization and kidney failure after being prescribed Truvada. This turned into a class-action lawsuit which aimed to recover damages for all Truvada patients in the state who had been exposed to its dangers.

The pharmaceutical giant is alleged to have had knowledge of the toxicity of TDF and was even advised by the FDA that their product was unsafe. And still, Gilead Sciences continued to mass-produce and market the drug without thought of concern for users’ safety.

For years, the company made billions off this defective drug, all while being aware of a safer, alternative component known as tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Plaintiffs allege that Gilead Sciences stopped research and development of this alternative drug in order to benefit from their patent of the product and maximize corporate profits. To make matters worse, Gilead eventually sold a TAF-based product as a “newer, safer” version of Truvada despite having it shelved for years.

These recent lawsuits have brought attention to the dangers of Truvada, and more individuals that have suffered injury as a result of using the drug have begun to file their claims to recover compensation for the damages they suffered.

HIV Statistics in Connecticut

As per the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) 2019 HIV Epi Fact Sheet:

There were 10,560 people in Connecticut living with HIV.
There were 281 new HIV infections reported to the CDPH in 2017. Of these new diagnoses:
- 137 (49 percent) occurred among gay and bisexual men.
- 92 (33 percent) occurred among heterosexuals.
- 23 (8 percent) cases occurred among people who inject drugs.
- 52 cases occurred among the Hispanic/Latino population through male-to-male sexual contact.
- 51 cases occurred among White males through male-to-male sexual contact.
- 47 cases occurred among Black women through heterosexual contact.
- 31 cases occurred among Black males through male-to-male sexual contact.
Between 2013 to 2017, HIV diagnoses increased by 57 percent among Black female heterosexuals.
While Black/African-Americans accounted for 12 percent of the population in Connecticut, they made up 40 percent of new HIV diagnoses.
Hispanic/Latinos accounted for 16 percent of the total population in Connecticut and made up 29 percent of new HIV diagnoses.
In terms of age-groups affected in 2017:
- Individuals ages 20 to 29 made up 29 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
- Individuals ages 30 to 39 accounted for 41 percent of all new HIV diagnoses.
There were 189 deaths of individuals diagnosed with HIV in Connecticut in 2017.
80 percent of those living with HIV had received some HIV care.
62 percent of those living with HIV were retained in care.
72 percent of those virally suppressed.

Diagnosis and treatment are the recommended procedure to alleviate symptoms in those diagnosed with HIV and to prevent the spread of the infection. The groups which are directly affected by the toxicity of TDF in HIV prescriptions are the same who are already face an inordinate danger.

Patients seeking to get better from HIV should not face danger by the drug which is meant to help them. Individuals who are to begin ART should discuss the side effects of the drug with their physician.

How to File Your Truvada Lawsuit?

Drugs that make it onto the market go through a series of clinical tests to determine their safety and gain approval by the FDA. Sometimes, clinical trials will reveal flaws in formulation and manufacturers are steered to adjust accordingly.

In addition to providing safe drugs that fulfill their intended purposes, manufacturers have a duty to provide necessary information to the public, including the following:

List of all possible side effects.
Disclosure of all symptoms that may occur.
Offer additional information on concerns patients may have.

Any information surrounding the drug that is known to the pharmaceutical company but withheld from the public is an immediate red flag. Same goes for data outcomes of a clinical trial.

Oftentimes, skewing of data and keeping facts about the drug away from oversight organizations and governmental agencies is a sign of pharmaceutical malpractice. Know that if you have been injured by a drug due to some defect on the manufacturer’s behalf, you may be entitled to compensation.

There are four elements that are taken into consideration in a product liability claim:

A patient suffered an injury. If you experience symptoms, see a doctor to assess your health. Upon diagnosis, a lawyer can help to validate your claim and begin building evidence of your injuries.
There is a defective product at hand. There are three types of ways a product can be deemed defective, these include a.) defect in design, b.) manufacturing defect, and/or c.) failure to warn the user of potential side effects or other issues with the product. Providing evidence of one of these types of drug defects can help to secure your claim.
The patient was injured while using the product as intended. The manufacturer is liable for your injuries if they were suffered while using the product for its intended use.
The defective product caused a victim’s loss-related injury. In a valid defective product claim, the product must be the direct cause of your injuries and should have resulted in some sort of financial loss.

The statute of limitations, or time permitted to file a product liability claim, in the state of Connecticut is three years from the date of the injury. Discovery, or later awareness of injuries, may extend this time frame. All victims should act in a timely manner to file.

Challenging a pharmaceutical company that has billions to their name can be intimidating and difficult. For the support and resources you need for a successful product liability claim, seek help from the knowledgeable defective drug lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

Individuals with HIV who took Truvada to manage their condition but ended up facing bone and kidney issues should be compensated for their injuries. Although there is no particular set amount of compensation that an individual should expect for their claim, the experienced Connecticut Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm can help you determine a general understanding of the value of your claim.

In pursuing a product liability claim, victims of Truvada may be able to recover compensation for but not limited to:

Medical expenses
Loss of income
Pain and suffering
Emotional anguish
Loss of consortium
Loss of quality of life
Wrongful death

Those wondering if they have a valid product liability claim can seek guidance from qualified attorneys to help them secure evidence of their injury, costs pertaining to the injury, and information demonstrating that the company’s negligence is what caused their injury.

Connecticut Truvada Injury Lawyers You Can Trust

The dependable attorneys of Onder Law Firm know just how difficult recovering from a major incident like a defective drug injury can be. While it can seem terrifying suing a powerful pharmaceutical company, our defective drug attorneys have the experience, skills, and determination to get you the results you deserve.

With over $3 billion in financial recovery secured for our clients, we know exactly what it takes to get the job done right. Let Onder Law Firm handle the legal specifics of your defective drug case.

Do not let fear hold you back from recuperating the funds you need to heal. With our legal support, years of experience in fighting negligent corporations, and dedication to your well-being, rest assured that Gilead will be held liable for the harm they brought upon you.