The medical dyes Omniscan, Magnevist, OptiMARK, MultiHance, and ProHance are injected into patients prior to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and/or MRA (Angiography) scans to create a clearer image of blood flow and blood vessels. These dyes contain an agent called gadolinium.
Exposure to gadolinium based dyes in patients with impaired kidney (or renal) functions prior to MRI or MRA scans has been linked to the development of the debilitating kidney disease Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF), or sometimes referred to as Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy.
NSF can be fatal. It is caused solely by gadolinium and gadolinium can only get into a person's system by injection prior to a MRI with contrast or MRA medical scan.
There has been a black box alert since 2006 regarding the risk of NSF associated with MRI contrast agents containing gadolinium. The Food and Drug Administration issued further warnings in May 2007. As of December 2006, 90 cases of NSF have been reported to the FDA.
MRI Medical Dye Lawsuits: Your Legal Rights
Several lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of Omniscan, Magnevist, OptiMARK, MultiHance, and ProHance. Patients who developed serious kidney diseases including NSF after an MRI have alleged that manufacturers of these dyes knew that patients with weak or improperly functioning kidneys were at risk of greater injuries.
The law in most states provides several personal injury claims for persons who have been seriously injured due to defective medical devices and treatments. These claims include strict liability for a defective product, failure to warn, and negligence.
Damages sought against drug manufacturers for producing defective products that injure patients can include compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment;
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Loss of earnings and/or earning capacity; and
- Punitive damages for extreme wrongful conduct.
Submit Your Case to MRI Dye Side Effects Injury Lawyer | Attorney
If you have developed a serious kidney disease such as Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis after receiving an MRI or MRA, please contact an attorney at Lieff Cabraser. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your gadolinium side effects lawsuit.
Alternatively, you may contact Lieff Cabraser personal injury attorney Heather Foster at 1-800-541-7358 (the call is toll-free).