THE RESONSIBILITIES OF A PLAINTIFF WHO FILES A MERIDA LAWSUIT

If you took Merida and developed Merida side effects call Merida lawyer Timothy L. Miles

Meridia, made by Abbott Laboratories, was approved in 1997 for weight loss and weight loss maintenance for obese patients, and also very obese individuals who already had other health risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Meridia was approved after clinical studies showed that more patients taking Meridia lost at least 5 percent of their body weight than members of the placebo group who relied solely on diet and exercise. 

However, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has now requested that Meridia be recalled following a nearly year-long safety review of the drug which was initiated after researchers published the results of a study known as SCOUT (Sibutramine Cardiovascular Outcomes Trial). The study, which prompted a Meridia recall in Europe, showed a 16% percent increase in the risk of serious Meridia side effects, including:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Resuscitated cardiac arrest
• Death

SCOUT monitored 10,000 obese patients over the age of 55 who had a history of heart disease, and type 2 diabetes or similar risk factors. The initial purpose of the study was to show that weight loss through Meridia use lowered the risk of heart problems. However, that was not the case.  In fact, the results suggested that those taking the weight loss drug had an increased chance of suffering Meridia cardiovascular side effects. Doctors have been advised to stop prescribing Meridia and begin discussing weight loss alternatives with their patients.

​If you or a loved one suffered serious Meridia side effects including a heart attack, stroke or even death, contact Meridia lawyer Timothy L. Miles today for a free case evaluation to see if you are eligible for a Meridia lawsuit and possibly entitled to substantial compensation.

If you are eligible for a Merida lawsuit and decide you want to file a Merida lawsuit, read on to learn more about your responsibilities and what is required by serving as a plaintiff in a Merida lawsuit as well as other things you should be doing until you consult with and hire a lawyer.

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IF I DECIDE TO FILE A MERIDA LAWSUIT, HOW INVOLVED WILL I HAVE TO BE?

​​If you are eligible for a Meridia Lawsuit and decide to file a Meridia Lawsuit, your primary responsibilities as a plaintiff are as follows:

• Regularly meeting with your Meridia lawyer in person or on the phone.
• Reviewing certain pleadings and motions for accuracy before they are filed with the court by your Meridia lawyer.
• Participating in the discovery process which includes:
  • Gathering and turning over to the defendant all documents in your possession relative to you claim.
  • Answering written questions under oath.
  • Possibly admitting or denying certain factual statements under oath.  
  • Giving a deposition which is a proceeding outside of court but under oath in which the defendant’s attorney asked you questions about your Meridia side effects and the testimony is taken down by a court reporter. 
• If your Meridia lawsuit is not dismissed or settled and goes to trial, you will have to attend the trial and testify.  

 
While this may not be every single thing you are required to do, it is the bulk of your responsibilities as a plaintiff.  When you meet with your Meridia lawyer, he will explain your responsibilities in greater detail.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A MERIDIA LAWSUIT, KEEP ALL YOUR MERIDIA DOCUMENTATION

Maintaining all your Meridia documentation and other evidence is critical if you believe you are eligible for a Meridia lawsuit. You will need this evidence to prove your case and that you are entitled to compensation in a Meridia lawsuit.  Your Meridia lawyer will determine what evidence best supports your claim, but you should maintain and start gathering all your Meridia documents if you believe you are eligible for a Meridia lawsuit, including:

• All your medical records, including bills, doctor notes, receipts and any other notes or documents
• Receipts and any other documents including dosage information relating to your Meridia prescription
• All bank and other records evidencing your payments for doctor visits, prescriptions, medical tests and anything else you had to pay for in relation to your Meridia prescription
• Any communications from the FDA or any other governmental agency concerning your Meridia side effects
• If a doctor, nurse or any other health care provider made any comments regarding your Meridia side effects, write them down while they are still fresh on your mind
• Any other documentation or evidence you believe supports your claim that Meridia caused your heart attack, stroke or even death, or other serious Meridia side effects.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A MERIDA LAWSUIT, GET STATEMENTS FROM ANYONE WHO WITNESSED HOW THE MERIDA SIDE EFFECTS AFFECTED YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE

If you believe you are eligible for a Merida lawsuit, it is vital you call a Merida lawyer as soon as possible so he or she can start collecting witness statements.  However, in the meantime it is critical to get statements as soon as possible from anyone who witnesses your Meridia side effects as memories fade, people move or pass away. Therefore, it is important that if you believe you are eligible for a Merida lawsuit to get witness statements as soon as possible.  Talk to anyone who witnessed your Meridia side effects and can testify about the physical, emotional, and financial stress caused by your Meridia side effects that may help strengthen your claim for non-economic damages. Write down or even record any conversations, if possible, with anyone who witnessed or commented on your Meridia side effects while they are still fresh on your mind and the witness's mind.

Example of such statements could include any person who witnessed or made any comments relating to you Meridia side effects such as:

• Any doctor, nurse or other health care provider who stated they believed the symptoms and pain you were suffering were in their opinion directly related to your use of Merida, or how it caused a diminution in the quality of your life, including comments on the pain you were experiencing and suffering that they witnessed, even though these statements may have not been included in you medical records or doctor's notes.
• Statements from family members or loved ones who witnessed the physical, emotional and financial distress caused by your Meridia side effects that may help strengthen your claim for non-economic damages.
• Statements from co-workers who commented or witnesses your condition and the pain you were in and your inability to work and earn a living and how it was affecting you both physically and emotionally.
• Statements from neighbors or locals who witnessed the emotional, physical or financial impact the Meridia side effects had on your life.
• Any other person who witnesses your physical, emotional or financial distress caused by your Meridia side effects.

If you are unable to get witness statements due to your condition caused by the Meridia side effects, have a family member or friend try and get them, as they can help strengthen your claim for damages.  This is why it is important if you believe you are eligible for a Merida lawsuit to call Merida lawyer Timothy L. Miles as soon as possible. 855-846-6529 or [email protected].  Contact us 24/7 we are here and waiting to help. ​

IF YOU SUFFERED MERIDIA SIDE EFFECTS, CALL A MERIDIA LAWYER TODAY TO SEE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A MERIDIA LAWSUIT

​If you or a loved one suffered serious Meridia side effects including a heart attack, stroke or even death, contact Meridia lawyer Timothy L. Miles today to see if you are eligible for a Meridia lawsuit and possibly entitled to substantial compensation. While there is still time to file a lawsuit, be mindful that these cases are time sensitive, and give us a call today and see if you meet the requirements for a ​Meridia lawsuit.

TIMOTHY L. MILES, ESQ.

​Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder and consumer rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2023 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2023 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2023 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, securities fraud, civil procedure, corporate formation, corporate takeover litigation, derivative lawsuits, and more.  ​Visit out website.