Plaintiff Wins First Levaquin Tendon Rupture Trial

As many know by now, the popular antibiotic Levaquin has been linked to spontaneous tendon ruptures and tendon damage.   In July 2008, the FDA required that a "black box" warning be added to Levaquin, warning users of the risk of tendon damage. Approximately 2,600 Levaquin tendon rupture lawsuits have been filed all over the country and have been consolidated in an MDL(multidistrict litigation) in Minnesota Federal Court. The first Levaquin tendon rupture trial ended in a big win for the plaintiff.  On December 8, 2010 a Minnesota jury awarded $1.8 million, including $1.1 million in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson and one of it's subsidiaries for recklessly failing to warn consumers and doctors about the risk of tendon ruptures from Levaquin. Johnson & Johnson has stated it will appeal the verdict. This first trial is known as a "bellwether" trial. The results of the first trial are not binding in other cases. There are five other cases that have been selected for bellwether trials.  The results of the upcoming bellwether trials will likely have an impact on whether a global settlement can be reached. If you or a loved one have suffered a tendon rupture or tendon injury after taking Levaquin, you should consult a qualified Levaquin tendon rupture lawyer immediately. Depending on the applicable statute of limitations in your state, there still may be time to file your lawsuit.