Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, a Painful and Deadly Disease

First recognized in 1997, Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis is a disease marked by scleroderma-like skin changes, and ultimately results in acute and chronic severe renal insufficiency. NSF begins with discoloration, thickening and hardening of the skin within weeks of receiving a gadolinium-based injection, but the disease can spread to internal organs such as the lungs or heart and can progress so rapidly, a patient can become wheelchair-bound within a matter of weeks.

NSF is an incredibly aggressive disease marked by severe discomfort and pain in victims and can lead to death. The prognosis for NSF is unknown, and there are very few treatment options. One example of experimental treatment is photophoresis which is administered at the cost of $ 8,000 per treatment.

The signs and symptoms of NSF include:

For the skin—burning or itching, reddened or darkened patches; and/or skin swelling, hardening and/or tightening
For the eyes—yellow raised spots on the whites of the eyes
For the bones, joints and muscles—joint stiffness; limited range of motion in the arms, hands, legs, or feet; pain deep in the hip bone or ribs; and/or muscle weakness.

Legal Rights of the Injured

Several lawsuits have already been filed across the nation by patients who have developed the Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis as result of exposure to gadolinium. Manufacturers of the gadolinium-based contrast agents may have allegedly known the potential for disaster for patients with weak or improperly functioning kidneys, and may be liable for personal injury claims.

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

If you have developed Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis induced by exposure to gadolinium in MRI or MRA medical dyes, please contact an attorney at Lieff Cabraser. There is no charge or obligation for our review of your case.

Alternatively, you may contact Lieff Cabraser personal injury attorney Heather Foster at 1-800-541-7358 (the call is toll-free).

About Lieff Cabraser

Founded in 1972, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP is an over fifty attorney law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. For the last seven years, the National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of the top 20 plaintiff law firms in America.

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