Zocor Lawsuits Could Bring Thousands of Plaintiffs Into the Ring

The Food and Drug Administration has reported that more than 2 million Americans have been prescribed the high cholesterol and heart disease medication Zocor – generically called simvastatin – in the high 80 mg dose. Legal experts say that this high dose is the one most likely to contribute to side effects that have been experienced by many patients, including muscle pain, weakness, and tenderness, as well as muscle injury. In rarer cases, patients have been known to suffer from a serious kidney condition called Zocor rhabdomyolysis.
Millions of patients are also on lower doses of Zocor and other forms of simvastatin, and these patients could also be eligible to file suit against drugmaker Merck in order to compensate for financial costs related to side effects. There is no way to determine how much in damages a plaintiff could stand to receive, but many factors will be taken into consideration – medical bills, severity of injury, wages lost, and other variables can contribute to the amount awarded to a plaintiff.
Merck could be on the hook for millions of dollars in damages based on the sheer number of patients who have been prescribed the popular cholesterol lowering medication, especially after the Food and Drug Administration’s recent report. Earlier in June, a report issued by the Food and Drug Administration warned of ties linking Zocor and other simvastatin products to muscle injury, also called myopathy. This news could certainly help plaintiffs in Zocor cases with obtaining a fair settlement, because there has been official acknowledgement of the Zocor side effects.
Along with this, it was made clear that 80 mg Zocor prescriptions will no longer be distributed; this does not mean that patients with an 80 mg Zocor prescription should stop taking the drug immediately. Patients should consult their physician before stopping any medical treatment or if they are concerned with side effects that may be linked to the drug they are taking. Patients who have experienced or are experiencing Zocor side effects may also want to speak to an experienced Zocor lawyer to determine their eligibility for litigation against Merck in a Zocor lawsuit.