Nachawati Law Group trial lawyer Gale Pearson was a featured speaker at a recent gathering of the nation’s leading mass tort trial lawyers.
Speaking at the Ray Group’s “Mass Tort Success” conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Pearson provided an overview of key developments in three high-profile multidistrict litigation matters that the Nachawati Law Group is actively working on. Gale’s presentation included an update on the recently consolidated Tepezza eye medication MDL. She also provided perspective on rapidly evolving talc-cancer litigation against Johnson & Johnson, as well as Monsanto Roundup weedkiller litigation by individuals who have been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
On June 2, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated dozens of Tepezza lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. According to the lawsuits, Horizon Therapeutics USA Inc. failed to warn users about the health risks associated with Teprotumumab, which is sold under the Tepezza brand name and used to treat thyroid eye disease.
Thyroid Eye Disease or Graves’ Disease is a progressive autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the fatty muscle and tissue around the eye. A study by Stanford University researchers found that 65 percent of Tepezza users had hearing disorders after taking the medication.
Litigation related to Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products and Roundup weedkiller are two of the highest profile MDLs that are currently active. Nachawati Law Group has been involved in ongoing settlement discussions underway with Johnson & Johnson to resolve tens of thousands of cancer lawsuits. Firm founder Majed Nachawati served on the Tort Claimants Committee for the LTL1 bankruptcy filed by Johnson & Johnson subsidiary LTL Management in an unsuccessful effort by the company to resolve tens of thousands of pending lawsuits by filing for bankruptcy. He also helped broker a subsequent proposed $8.9 billion settlement with LTL and Johnson & Johnson.
The firm has been equally involved in litigation against Bayer subsidiary Monsanto over claims that its Roundup weedkiller causes non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Nachawati serves on the MDL leadership committee for claims filed in California state court and has been an outspoken voice regarding Monsanto’s efforts to reach a global settlement.
Stay tuned, Pearson will be leading a CLE session on environmental litigation at the American Association for Justice’s annual convention July 14 – 18 in Philadelphia.