The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) once posed a critical health threat to Americans across the United States, especially the LGBT and minority demographics. With the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART), however, the impact of life-threatening symptoms that were once coupled with an HIV diagnosis have largely dissipated.
However, recent news has revealed that an active ingredient in Truvada, called tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or TDF, is toxic and can result in severe health complications. Individuals have thus come forward with claims against Gilead Sciences Inc., Truvada’s manufacturer, for developed bone fractures, osteoporosis, renal damage, and total kidney failure resulting from TDF-based drug usage.
If you or a loved one have experienced bone or kidney damage after taking Truvada, know that you do not have to suffer alone.
Contact the Orlando Truvada Lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm at (314) 310-7924 today for a FREE, no-obligation case evaluation.
Truvada is a combination of the drugs emtricitabine (FTC) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). TDF is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) which reduces the replication of infected HIV cells. People living with HIV take this prescription once a day, and it is most effective when coupled with other HIV treatments.
At one point, more than 80 percent of HIV-diagnosed individuals who began viral suppression started their treatment on Gilead drugs like Truvada. It wasn’t long until individuals began experiencing mild side effects, something that Gilead informed the public about:
Unfortunately, TDF has also been discovered to cause severe health complications, and Gilead has taken to great lengths to conceal these much more harmful side effects in the past.
Truvada may exacerbate previous or cause new damage to the kidneys. Beware of signs of acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, renal damage and total kidney failure.
Symptoms of kidney complications can include:
Truvada and other TDF drugs worsen existing bone conditions and present new degeneration of the bones. Individuals taking such drugs may experience osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Symptoms of bone complications can include:
If you experience any of the listed symptoms after taking Truvada, seek medical attention immediately. People living with HIV who are diagnosed with bone demineralization or kidney damage have the right to recover their losses.
In May 2018, the first series of legal actions were taken against Gilead for Truvada-related injuries. People living with HIV and taking the drug began to link their history of Truvada use to the bone and kidney complications they were now experiencing.
A personal injury case was filed by two individuals in California. Their claims allege that they suffered serious bone and kidney injuries due to the fact that the company withheld a safer alternative of the drug in order to maintain soaring TDF sales.
A class-action lawsuit was also filed by two other California residents. This lawsuit alleges that Gilead misrepresented the safety of Truvada, marketing it as “harmless” despite having knowledge of the toxicity of the drug.
The class-action lawsuit seeks to represent victims of Gilead’s TDF drugs from October of 2001 up until now. Compensation was to be recovered for the injuries these individuals faced, albeit at a reduced amount that is usual in a class-action lawsuit.
The personal injury and the class-action case both address Gilead’s attempt to conceal the more serious side effects of Truvada and their attempt to withhold a safer drug called tenofovir alafenamide (TAF). Gilead is said to have participated in such negligent acts to avoid any conflict with the trusted Truvada name.
In failing to offer the public transparency, Gilead tricked thousands of individuals into thinking their health would improve while on the prescription. As a result, people living with HIV seeking alleviation from the infection’s symptoms were now faced with another set of painful side effects and symptoms.
Certain groups across America experience sexually transmitted disease and infection at higher rates than others. This is largely due to the lack of educational resources, poverty, and an overall stigma around STIs/STDs such demographics face.
LGBT individuals, specifically men who have sex with men (MSM), and racial minorities continue to be the groups most impacted by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 2017, Black MSM, Hispanic MSM, and White MSM experienced the highest rates of HIV infection in the United States.
The number of total annual diagnoses has been on the rise in the central-most part of Florida since 2013. Out of all large cities in America, Orlando came in second for highest rates of new HIV cases.
Statistics for HIV diagnoses in Orlando for the year 2017 are as follows:
Healthcare professionals and advocates encourage individuals to get tested for HIV and begin antiretroviral treatment upon diagnosis. ART helps those infected to better manage symptoms and control the spread of the infection.
When not treated, HIV may progress to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is important to take action against this succession, as life expectancy is diminished to three years after an AIDS diagnosis.
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men are all more likely to begin ART. Consider quitting Truvada if health complications arise, or seek alternative treatment plans if you are to begin HIV treatment.
Individuals with similar cases against Gilead have been collectively represented in class-action lawsuits in other states. Your Truvada injury case, however, is unique and worthy of maximum compensation in an independent personal injury claim.
Drug manufacturers can be sued in a product liability claim under the following grounds:
If you have been injured by TDF, suffering bone or kidney damage, know that you may take legal action under the company’s “failure to warn” and concealing an effective treatment.
With the help of well-versed Truvada lawsuit attorneys, you can pursue damages by establishing necessary evidence on a defective product. In the state of Florida, the statute of limitations to file a product liability claim is 4 years from the date of the incident which caused such injury.
As for those who have lost a loved one to a Truvada-related wrongful death, the statute of limitations to file is two years from the date your loved one perished.
Damages that may be pursued in a Truvada personal injury claim include the following:
Remember that you should seek a doctor upon noticing TDF-induced symptoms and keep a record of treatment and medical costs. Act to file your claim quickly. Failing to file a product liability claim within the statute of limitations could be seen as forfeiture in the eyes of the civil court.
Individuals who have a history with Truvada and have thus faced bone demineralization or kidney damage need the help of knowledgeable and experienced attorneys to recover maximum compensation in a defective product claim.
A quality legal team will provide the following services to ensure your best recovery:
If you or someone you care for has been devastatingly affected by TDF drugs such as Truvada, you have every right to recuperate damages to help alleviate the financial effects of medical bills and related losses.
Receive a FREE case evaluation when you contact the Orlando Truvada lawsuit attorneys of Onder Law Firm by calling (314) 310-7924 or contacting us online now.
This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Past results afford no guarantee of future results. Every case is different and must be judged on its own merits. Results include Co-lead counsel on Yaz MDL & co-liaison leadership role in Pradaxa MDL.
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