Lipitor Lawsuit Funding Available for Plaintiffs in Need of Financial Relief

Whitney Taylor | September 29th, 2014

Lipitor bottleCoordinated litigation for Lipitor lawsuits continues to progress, with early trials now slated to begin approximately one year from now. The U.S. District Judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation in South Carolina recently indicated that the first bellwether trial for the MDL will begin in October 2015. Plaintiffs who are concerned about pressing financial needs may consider Lipitor diabetes lawsuit funding while waiting for trials to begin.

The Lipitor MDL was established in February 2014, in order to streamline early trial proceedings for a growing number of lawsuits against Lipitor manufacturer Pfizer. Multidistrict litigation is used to prevent duplicate discovery and conflicting rulings in different courts that could complicate ongoing legal proceedings. At this time, the MDL involves more than 1,250 product liability lawsuits.

What is Lipitor?

Lipitor is a drug used to lower cholesterol levels in some patients, which also lowers their risk of related medical conditions like heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Plaintiffs in these complaints, all women, allege use of the cholesterol treatment led to the development of type 2 diabetes. The plaintiffs further assert that Pfizer failed to properly warn the general public or medical community about the risks associated with their drug.

Lawsuit filings, which began trickling into courts across the country approximately two years ago, gained steam at the beginning of 2014 when the FDA issued a warning about statin drugs like Lipitor. The agency cautioned that these medications could be linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as cognitive impairment and memory loss. In August 2014, the Wall Street Journal also reported the risk appears to be higher in women and that women may see fewer benefits from taking Lipitor than men.

Judge Richard Gergel, the U.S. District Judge assigned to oversee the Lipitor MDL, has identified 12 “initial discovery cases,” which are currently in the midst of the discovery process. These 12 cases are expected to be narrowed to just six by December, as representatives of plaintiffs and defendants will each select three cases to go to early trial. Known as bellwether trials, these early trials provide valuable information as to how juries might respond to evidence and testimony in subsequent cases. They may also prompt defendants to begin settlement negotiations with plaintiffs.

Slow legal process creates financial stress for some

The legal process continues to move forward at a slow but steady pace for Lipitor plaintiffs. While early cases are scheduled to begin next year, it could be many years before all the plaintiffs in the coordination see their day in court. Even after verdicts or settlements, it can be a significant amount of time before plaintiffs see payments made.

The good news is Lipitor diabetes lawsuit funding is available for those having trouble paying the bills while waiting for the legal process to run its course. These cash advances differ from traditional loans, because they offer no-risk, non-recourse funding that is not paid back until your case is decided or settled. If you do not receive any legal compensation from your case, the money advanced through lawsuit funding does not have to be repaid at all.

It is important to work with a reputable company when pursuing a Lipitor settlement loan, such as LawStreet Capital. We make it fast and easy for you to get the money you need when you need it, with a short online application and nearly immediate approval.

Once your funding is approved, money can be wired into your checking account or a check sent directly to you within 24 hours. Call LawStreet Capital toll-free today at 1.866.FUND.662 to learn more about our services or begin the application process.

Resources:

  1. U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2502, http://www.scd.uscourts.gov/mdlipitor/index.asp
  2. FDA, FDA Expands Advice on Statin Risks, http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm293330.htm
  3. Medical News Today, What is Lipitor (Atorvostatin)? http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248136.php
  4. Wall Street Journal, Pfizer Faces Numerous Lawsuits over Lipitor Side Effects, http://blogs.wsj.com/pharmalot/2014/08/08/pfizer-faces-numerous-lawsuits-over-lipitor-side-effects/