Abilify (Aripiprazole) is a drug manufactured by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. It was put on the market to help those struggling with schizophrenia, but was also prescribed for other conditions. When it was marketed to the masses, the link between compulsive gambling and Abilify became extremely clear; the numbers were so staggering that the FDA specifically warned about it in 2016. Patients are currently speaking out and are taking Otsuka Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers Squibb to court for failing to warn patients and doctors of the potential risk for the uncontrollable urge to gamble associated with this drug.
First of all, let’s talk about what a bellwether case is. A bellwether case is when a large group of people have a similar complaint or injury against a company. Let’s say that 1,000 people took the same drug and they all developed debilitating migraines. If each person went to trial, it could take years to hear each case and it would cost the company and taxpayers millions of dollars. With a bellwether case, just a few cases go to court as a representative of the group. The outcome of these cases are used as an indicator for what future outcomes may look like allowing both sides to come to ideally come to a settlement in the best interest of consumers.In this particular instance involving Abilify, more than 800 lawsuits are currently pending in the Northern District of Florida. The plaintiffs have these allegations in common:
What makes these three settlements extremely unique is that these cases were set to take place this summer, and yet they went to trial and were settled on April 27, 2018. This rarely happens. Global settlement talks are underway and we expect that these cases will be short, therefore you should act quickly. If you or a loved one took Abilify between 2005 - May 2016, took this drug for at least three months, had compulsive gambling tendencies while on the medication, and have stopped taking this drug, you may be eligible for financial compensation. If you had the uncontrollable urge to gamble, you may have experienced high losses and you may be able to get back the money that was spent. CONTACT US TODAY!
