Dallas Gadolinium Lawsuit Attorneys

While believed to be safe for nearly 30 years, gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) have begun to face heavy legal and medical scrutiny in recent years.

Individuals from across the United States are filing lawsuits against the manufacturers of GBCA with claims that the drugs have caused catastrophic health issues including gadolinium toxicity, Gadolinium Deposition Disease, and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis.

These health issues can be fatal if not treated.

Your team of dedicated Dallas gadolinium attorneys at The Benton Law Firm are currently investigating these claims in search of victims who have been injured as a result of being exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents. Do not hesitate to reach out to our gadolinium lawsuit attorneys today online or at (214) 777-7777 for a FREE case evaluation.

We will help you to better understand your situation and uncover if you can file a claim against the negligent party or parties who caused you or your loved one harm.

What Is Gadolinium?

Gadolinium is a rare earth metal that has unique properties which allow it to be used with X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and ultrasound imaging.

Gadolinium has also commonly been used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) exams.

First approved for use in 1988, gadolinium-based contrast agents are clear, colorless fluids used in MRI and MRA exams to enhance the quality of MR images. GBCA are typically injected into a vein via a needle or cannula during the exam the patient is undergoing.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents help to improve the visibility of certain areas of the body and brain – including blood vessels and tissues – by affecting the magnetic properties of water molecules in the body. This allows physicians to better understand the condition the patient is dealing with and allows them to diagnose, as well as treat, the condition.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents have been used in more than over 100 million patients worldwide for nearly 30 years. Some of the more commonly used gadolinium-based contrast agents include:

• Ablavar (gadofosveset trisodium)
• Dotarem (gadoxetate disodium)
• Eovist (gadoxetate disodium)
• Gadavist (gadobutrol)
• Magnevist (gadopentetate dimeglumine)
• Multihance (gadobenate dimeglumine)
• Omniscan (gadodiamide)
• Optimark (gadoversetamide)
• Prohance (gadoteridol)

The Lawsuits Surrounding Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents (GBCA)

Between 2008 through 2015, over 1,000 lawsuits were filed against the manufacturers of GBCA products. This included a mix of individuals who had undergone MRI or MRA exams. The plaintiffs in these initial lawsuits suffered from Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis which generally only affects individuals with advanced kidney failure or who are having kidney-related health issues but are not undergoing dialysis.

While it was first believed that only those with pre-existing kidney or renal conditions would face health risks associated with GBCA, it has since been shown that individuals with healthy kidney function can also undergo serious injuries including gadolinium toxicity.

Lawsuits against the manufacturers of gadolinium-based products are claiming that these companies failed to warn healthcare providers, patients, and overseeing government agencies.

What Are the Injuries & Side Effects Caused by GBAC?

Like any other medication, GBAC does come with both short-term and potentially long-term side effects. Some of the more commonly noted short-term side effects include:

• Pain at the injection site
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Itching
• Rash
• Headache
• Prickling, burning, or tingling

On occasion, individuals may experience a serious allergic reaction which requires immediate medical attention. Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Back pain
• Swelling around the face, mouth, hands, feet, and/or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Fainting
• Eye irritation
• Coughing, wheezing, or sneezing
• Rash, hives, or itchy skin

What is of major concern to individuals who have been exposed to GBAC, and the gadolinium lawsuit attorneys of The Benton Law Firm, are several serious health conditions that include:

• Gadolinium Toxicity: Individuals who suffer from gadolinium toxicity may experience symptoms after exposure to GBCA, usually within a few hours to a few days, and may also deal with chronic symptoms for years. Signs of toxicity include pain in extremities or joints, changes to skin, muscle twitching, cognitive issues, balance problems, issues with eyesight, or “electrified” or buzzing feeling under the skin.
• Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF): This condition resembles skin diseases and generally leads to the thickening and darkening of large areas of the skin. NSF can affect internal organs including the heart, kidneys, and lungs while causing the shortening of muscles and tendons in the joints. GBCA are believed to trigger the development of the disease in individuals suffering from moderate to severe kidney disease. Symptoms of NSF can include the swelling and tightening of the victim’s skin, burning or severe pain in affected areas, thickening and hardening of the skin on arms and legs, loss of joint flexibility, and rare blisters or ulcers.
• Gadolinium Deposition Disease (GDD): This condition causes individuals to suffer fibrosis in an organ, bone, or skin. Symptoms of GDD may include a persistent headache, bone or joint pain, tendons and ligaments are painful. In GDD, gadolinium may also appear in the brain. The condition can also lead to severe kidney damage.

Research Suggests Gadolinium May Remain in Brain After MRI

It wasn’t until 2006 that the concerns arose around the safety of gadolinium. While it was previously believed that the chemical would leave the body within a short time (healthcare providers were told that GBCA had a half-life of 90-120 minutes), numerous reports from health agencies and medical institutions have shown otherwise.

• In 2015, Mayo Clinic researchers found direct evidence of gadolinium deposits in neuronal tissues. The study found that “neuronal tissue deposition appears to take place in all patients exposed to gadolinium and is detectable with as few as four-lifetime doses…”
• A 2016 study conducted at the Teikyo University School of Medicine found that gadolinium-based contrast agents could lead to an accumulation of the material in the brain.
• In 2017, the S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required a new class warning for all gadolinium-based contrast agents concerning gadolinium remaining in a patient’s body and/or brain for months – or even years – after having been injected with the drug.
• In 2017, the European Union issued a safety recall for “linear” gadolinium-based contrast agents as this form of GBCA is shown to leave greater quantities of gadolinium deposits in the brain in comparison to macrocyclic GBCA.
• The primary manufacturers of gadolinium-based contrast agents have also issued warnings that gadolinium could be retained within an individual’s bones or organs (i.e. brain, skin, kidney, liver, and spleen) for months or years. The memo these companies created included the statement that, “Adverse events involving multiple organ systems have been reported in patients with normal renal function…”

Emanuel Kanal, M.D., director of magnetic resonance services and professor of radiology and neuroradiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has stated that, “We now have clear evidence that the administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents results in notably varied levels of accumulation of residual gadolinium in the brain.”

Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

If you or a loved one have suffered from Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis or Gadolinium Deposition Disease as a result of being injected with GBCA, you should seek out medical attention to determine the exact cause of your health concerns and then the support of our qualified gadolinium lawsuit attorneys.

While more and more information is being released regarding the safety of gadolinium – or lack thereof – our attorneys can begin to the process of investigating your claim. Depending on the specifics of your case, our team will fight to help you recover full and fair compensation that can include but is not limited to:

1. Medical Expenses – Treatment for the injuries suffered from your exposure to GBCA can be expensive and place a heavy financial burden on you. We will fight for compensation to cover past, present, and future medical expenses related to the damages you have suffered.
2. Pain and Suffering – Suffering from NSF, GDD, or kidney-related health issues can greatly reduce your quality of life and affect you psychologically. These damages help to cover the emotional trauma you have undergone.
3. Lost Wages and Future Earnings – If your injuries left you unable to work, then you can recover compensation for the wages you lost, as well as for future earnings if your injury does not allow you to return to work at all.
4. Wrongful Death Damages – If your loved one lost their life after exposure to a gadolinium-based product, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the party responsible for your loss. When filing a wrongful death claim, our gadolinium lawsuit attorneys can help you secure damages that include funeral-related expenses, as well as other forms of compensation.
5. Punitive Damages – This type of compensation is awarded when it is proven that the negligent company or manufacturer acted in a malicious, fraudulent, or grossly negligent behavior.

If you or a loved one have experienced gadolinium-related injuries, contact The Benton Law Firm right now at (214) 777-7777 to learn more about your ability to secure financial compensation for the damages you have suffered from a potential drug-related injury.

You pay no fees unless we win!