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Factor VIII - Blood Products Litigation |
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Sheldon J. Schlesinger P.A. currently represents over
a thousand individuals, or their survivors and estates, from South
America. These plaintiffs with hemophilia became infected with the
HIV and/or HCV viruses through the use of concentrate blood products
- Factor VIII and IX - manufactured by American companies in the
1980's. This site is designed to keep our clients and the general
public up to date about this complex litigation as we strive to
obtain justice for those harmed by these products.
Background - In the early 1980's, American companies began
to manufacture concentrate blood products known as anti-hemophilic
Factors VIII and IX, which were intended to aid in the treatment
of hemophilia. These factor concentrates were manufactured and sold
in the U.S. and also exported to countries throughout the world.
This resulted in the mass infection of HIV and HCV to those who
used these products and the deaths of thousands of people with hemophilia,
including hundreds in South America in countries such as Argentina,
Brazil, Venezuela, Peru and Paraguay.
Factual allegations - Plaintiffs in this litigation allege
that certain American companies -among them Bayer Corporation, Baxter
Healthcare Corporation and Armour Pharmaceutical Company - manufactured
and sold factor concentrates that were contaminated with HIV and/or
HCV. Some of these companies recruited and paid plasma donors from
high risk populations including intravenous drug users, homosexuals
and prisoners. The Defendants used this plasma in the production
of factor concentrates, and marketed and distributed them as beneficial
products in the treatment of hemophilia. We believe that Defendants
knew they were exposing the users of concentrates to a high risk
of contracting a deadly disease. Defendants fraudulently misrepresented
the fact that Factors VIII and IX were safe to use to government
officials and the public, claiming that they had taken the necessary
steps to reduce the risk of developing AIDS and/or HCV. They also
failed to utilize more effective viral inactivation methods that
were available at the time. Furthermore, once the companies introduced
a safer and improved version of the concentrates in the U.S. and
Europe, they continued to sell the old, contaminated blood product
in South America without any concern for the tragic consequences
that could result.
For more information or to speak to one of our attorneys, contact
Sheldon J. Schlesinger, P.A., for a free consultation with a
caring, experienced legal team.
• Basic
Information on Factor VIII
• National
Hemophilia Information
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Sheldon J. Schlesinger, P.A. represents clients throughout
the state of Florida including the cities of Boca Raton, Boynton
Beach, Carol City, Cooper City, Coral Gables, Coral Springs, Davie,
Deerfield Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Hollywood,
Jupiter, Lake Worth, Miramar, Miami, Oakland Park, Palm Beach, Palm
Beach Gardens, Palm Springs, Pompano Beach, and Rivera Beach
Broward County • Miami-Dade County • Palm Beach
County
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