Wrongful death lawsuit filed over prescription drug Pradaxa

The family of a deceased Newton resident has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the prescription drug Pradaxa, claiming that the drug caused excessive bleeding and fatal injuries.

Henry Parnell, independently and as executor of the estate of Wilma Parnell, James Parnell, Paul Parnell and Dawn Woods filed suit against Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. on April 30 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.

Pradaxa is a direct thrombin inhibitor that is used to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Prior to its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2010, warafin was the only oral anticoagulation available in the U.S. for reducing stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.

According to the lawsuit, Wilma Parnell was prescribed Pradaxa for blood thinning. Shortly thereafter, she died due to excessive and/or uncontrollable bleeding associated with her used of the drug, the suit alleges.

The defendant is accused of strict liability failure to warn, design defect, negligence, negligent misrepresentation and/or fraud, breach of express warranty, merchantability, breach of implied warranty, fraudulent concealment and deceptive trade practices.

The plaintiffs are seeking an award of damages for medical and funeral expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship, loss of household services, loss of inheritance, punitive damages, interest and attorney’s fees.

Parnell is represented by Christopher T. Kirchmer of Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont. A jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone is assigned to the case.

Case No. 1:13-cv-00263