Omniscan lawsuits are products liability cases in which skilled personal injury attorneys stand up for the rights of those injured by gadolinium contrast agents used during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests.
Generically referred to as a gadolinium-based contrasting agent (GBCA), Omniscan is an injectable solution that is used in conjunction with MRIs to improve image quality. The gadolinium molecules in Omniscan have a unique way of moving within a magnetic field, which makes them a powerful tool in diagnosing various conditions. Omniscan, manufactured by GE Healthcare, is among five GBCAs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (the other FDA approved GBCAs include ProHance, OptiMARK, MultiHance, and Magnevist).
Despite its effectiveness, however, Omniscan has been linked to some severe side effects, including serious allergic reactions and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) (also knowns as ephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, NFD). NSF is an irreversible, potentially fatal, condition in which fibrous connective tissues develop on/in the skin, internal organs, eyes, and/or joints. Symptoms of NSF may include:
- burning or itchy skin
- general muscle weakness
- inability to bend or extend the joints
- inflammation of the skin
- loss of joint mobility
- pain in the hips or ribs
- skin plaques, skin tightening or skin hardening (on the extremities)
- yellowing of the whites of the eyes.
Symptoms may arise between 2 days and 18 months after exposed to GBCAs. Those who are most likely to develop NSF include patients with severe renal (kidney) impairment. Although NSF has been linked to use of all FDA-approved GBCAs, it is unclear which gadolinium contrast agents are the most dangerous, as many NSF patients had been administered multiple doses of different types of GBCAs.
How to Start an Omniscan Lawsuit
Those who have a history of exposure to gadolinium contrasting agents and who are diagnosed with NSF should:
- Seek emergency medical attention to prevent further health complications.
- Follow through with all necessary treatments for the best chances of slowing or halting the progression of NSF.
- Once their health is no longer in immediate danger, consult with a seasoned defective drug lawyer to learn more about their legal rights and to receive a thorough evaluation of their case.
Injured Omniscan patients will have a strong legal claim against GE Healthcare, and they may be entitled to a settlement that compensates them for their medical bills, permanent disabilities, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
If you or a loved one have used Omniscan and suffered from NSF, you should contact us immediately for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.
