After the miracle diet drug, Fen Phen, was introduced in the early 90's, nearly 6.5 million people consumed the drug. The reason for such a large consumption was the immediate weight loss associated with the drug. However, after ties between Fen Phen and the fatal Primary Pulmonary Hypertension were established, American Home Products removed the drug from the market in mid September of '97.

While Fen Phen supporters did not want to believe the horrible side effects that would befall some, they soon came to the realization that the drug was quite harmful. Soon after Fen Phen was pulled from American shelves, evidence implicating AHP of withholding serious knowledge of the harmful side effects the drug would cause came to light.

Since millions of people had taken the diet drug Fen Phen, a large percentage of these people were experiencing drastic side effects, and in some cases even death. Many people say they would pay any price to lose weight. However, death was not the price they wanted to pay.

A large number of the lawsuits filed in state court were filed because of the different effects Fen Phen caused on people's health. The people filing suit were seeking some type of compensation for the rising medical bills they were incurring.

In late 1997, every single federal Fen Phen case was transferred to the United States District Court. This event started a series of nationwide Fen Phen settlements. In mid-November of 99, preliminary approval was given to the settlement class. In order to find that the agreement reached in the settlement was fair, the district court held a hearing.

In August of 2000, the settlement agreement was awarded approval. Thus creating the American Home Products Settlement Trust. After attempts to overturn the court's ruling, the AHP gave in to the settlement.
If you are a patient who has suffered from PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) caused by the diet drug Fen Phen, then you should know that you are not part of the settlement agreement with AHP. All Primary Pulmonary Hypertension patients are required to file independent lawsuits to make any legal claim.

Fen-Phen Lawyers:

Many individuals exposed to Fen-Phen have developed serious complications related to the use of this drug combination.

Fen-Phen lawyers are available across the country to assist these people in recovering damages resulting from the use of Fen-Phen, a term used to describe a combination of two drugs generally used to treat obesity.

Sadly, most people who used fen-phen (or phen-fen) and experienced initial success, ultimately regained the weight they lost. In the process, many developed serious medical or psychiatric complications as a consequence of exposure to these drugs.

The two drugs are fenfluramine (Pondimin) and phentermine (Fastin). Patients who took fenfluramine alone, or a related drug, dexfenfluramine (Redux), may also have suffered damages, be entitled to compensation, and require the assistance of experienced Fen-Phen lawyers.

Any litigation related to the recovery of damages resulting from the use of a specific medication is a process that is both complex and time consuming. This type of litigation generally requires the services of competent attorneys, those skilled and experienced in all aspects of this particular type of lawsuit.

Fen-Phen lawyers possess these skills and provide assistance to people who have suffered damages related to the use of Fen-Phen. This assistance may be provided in the form of class-action lawsuits or through individual claims.

Damages include the development of valvular heart disease (damaged heart valves), PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) and neuropsychological damages.

Valvular heart disease may require complex medical care or surgery to replace damaged heart valves.

PPH is the most serious complication related to the use of Fen-Phen and generally involves extensive medical treatment aimed at halting the progression of the disease and controlling the symptoms. Heart-lung transplantation may be required. This disorder is sometimes fatal, despite aggressive treatment.

Neuropsychological damages involve the development of memory loss, changes in behavior, depression or mood swings, or psychosis.

People who suffered damages as a result of taking Fen-Phen are entitled to compensation for the costs of medical care, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

Those who have developed valvular heart disease are provided assistance from Fen-Phen lawyers as part of a national class action settlement.

Those suffering from damages related to PPH (Primary Pulmonary Hypertension) or neuropsychological side effects may pursue individual claims by using Fen-Phen lawyers (attorneys with expertise related to this type of litigation).