NEW ORLEANS - A woman who allegedly suffered an allergic reaction is blaming Bayer, General Electric, and other pharmaceutical companies in a petition filed May 30 with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Plaintiffs Nicole Bentley Russell and Andy Russell requested a trial by jury in their case against General Electric Co., GE Healthcare Inc., GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences Corp., Bayer Corp., Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Tyco Healthcare, Tyco Healthcare Ltd., Mallinckrodt Inc. and Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
The plaintiffs claim Nicole Russell had an allergic reaction to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), which are developed by the manufacturing defendants.
Plaintiffs' attorney John Sileo
| Law Offices of John D. Sileo
According to the lawsuit, Nicole Russell was administered GBCAs via an IV while at Ochsner Hospital - Kenner. While there, she allegedly received an MRI of her brain and was later put on the medication in question.
The Russells alleged that the medicine is “defective in its design or formulation in that it is not reasonably fit, suitable or safe for its intended purpose and/or its foreseeable risks exceeded the benefits associated with its design and formulation,” according to the complaint.
They also said the defendants sold Nicole Russell the product without informing her of any potential side effects. The Russells said that, considering the product was “within the exclusive control of the defendants,” the only conclusion is that all of the defendants were negligent.
In addition, the plaintiffs claim Nicole Russell experienced injuries and damages because of the allergic reaction caused by the medication including having to pay for medical treatment that she otherwise would not have had to endure, mental anguish, humiliation, emotional distress and the need for continued medical evaluation. The Russells claim the defendants' negligence could also result in future issues. They also said Nicole Russell's damages include past and future medical costs, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages and attorney’s fees and other related costs.
The petitioners requested a trial by jury.