Merck & Co., an established player in the pharmaceutical market, faces a multitude of Zostavax lawsuit claims.[1] Zostavax is a drug designed to prevent shingles in older adults.[1] If you or a loved one has suffered injury after taking the Merck shingles vaccine, pre-settlement funding from USClaims could help you cover your legal expenses while your lawsuit settles in court.
Understanding Zostavax Lawsuits and Merck Shingles Vaccine
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash on the side of the face or body. It can affect people of all ages but is more common in those over 50.[2]
Shingles originates from the same virus that causes chickenpox. If someone contracts chickenpox as a child, the virus may remain dormant in the body and resurface years later as shingles. The condition is rarely life-threatening but can cause severe pain, fatigue, and sensitivity to light.[3]
A group of plaintiffs started the Zostavax lawsuit after experiencing adverse effects from the vaccine. They found the vaccine was ineffective at preventing shingles and caused a more serious version of the disease. Plaintiffs believe Merck was aware of the risks with the vaccine yet failed to warn consumers, resulting in severe pain and, in some cases, other lasting illnesses. Since then, thousands of plaintiffs have joined the lawsuit or started their own. The case is now going through multidistrict litigation.[1]
If you or a family member took the Zostavax shingles vaccine and experienced severe side effects, your case may qualify for funding from USClaims. We offer product liability funding to help individuals cover their costs while waiting for the Zostavax lawsuit to settle.
Risks and Side Effects of Zostavax
Zostavax became available to the public in 2006. Merck claimed the drug could help those receiving the vaccine avoid shingles. Several years later, however, consumers began submitting adverse event reports to the FDA. The agency required Merck to add a warning label to Zostavax that warned consumers the vaccine could cause chickenpox or shingles.[10]
Zostavax also became associated with other risks.[4] The FDA asked the company to add a warning label to the Merck shingles vaccine, indicating it could potentially cause necrotizing retinitis — a serious eye disease.[5]
People who took the vaccine also reported cardiovascular problems.[6] Judges in Pennsylvania and other states have now approved Zostavax injury lawsuits.[7] USClaims can assist those with cases that qualify for funding, providing access to pre-settlement funds to cover legal fees and other expenses.
Recent Developments in Zostavax Lawsuits
In response to the Zostavax Products Liability Litigation, Judge Bartle dismissed 173 claims against Merck, stating the claims were “full of boilerplate language, unrelated to the individual case, and is the antithesis of how a proper federal complaint should be drafted.”[8]
Plaintiffs also face challenges due to the Lone Pine order.[9] Bartle demands they provide laboratory results to prove a correlation between their shingles infections and the Merck vaccine’s strain of the virus. Settlement funding from USClaims could help qualifying plaintiffs cover their costs while waiting for their claims to reach court. Potential plaintiffs can get more information in the settlement funding FAQ.[9]
Pre-Settlement Funding for Zostavax Injury Victims
Clients who have experienced an injury due to receiving a Zostavax vaccine may face legal bills and medical expenses they’re unable to pay. They may also be unable to work because of the serious nature of the Zostavax injuries. Pre-settlement funding for vaccine injuries from USClaims can help you cover your expenses. You can use the funding to pay for legal, medical, and day-to-day expenses related to a Zostavax injury. You only pay back the funding if you reach a successful settlement, making it a risk-free option for individuals with a qualifying claim. Apply now or call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn how pre-settlement funding works.
The availability of pre-settlement funding varies by state. Contact USClaims for more information.
Sources
- Bartle, Harvey and Thomson Reuters. “In Re Zostavax (Zoster Vaccine Live) Products Liability Litigation.” United States District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania, Dec. 2021, p. 675. fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/legaldocs/lbvgomlgnvq/frankel-zostavaxmdl–bellwetherSJopinion.pdf.
- “What Are Shingles? Know Your Risk at Any Age.” Cedars-Sinai, www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/shingles-risk-factors.html.
- “About Shingles (Herpes Zoster).” Shingles (Herpes Zoster), 10 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html.
- Vaccine Information Statement | Shingles Recombinant | VIS | CDC. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/shingles-recombinant.html.
- Bergstrom, Reece, and Koushik Tripathy. “Acute Retinal Necrosis.” StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf, 25 Aug. 2023, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470588.
- “Side Effects of Aubagio (Teriflunomide): Interactions and Warnings.” MedicineNet, 9 June 2020, www.medicinenet.com/side_effects_of_zostavax_zoster_vaccine/side-effects.htm.
- “Judge Gives Green Light for Claims Over Merck’s Shingles Vaccine.” 2021-11-17 | FDAnews, www.fdanews.com/articles/205380-judge-gives-green-light-for-claims-over-mercks-shingles-vaccine.
- Abbo, Loretta, et al. “In The United States District Court For The Eastern District Of Pennsylvania In Re: Zostavax (Zoster Vaccine Live) Products Liability Litigation.” MDL No. 2848 Civil Action No. 2:18-md-02848-HB, www.druganddevicelawblog.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2019/05/Zostavax-dismissal-opinion.pdf.
- Frankel, Alison. “Merck Shingles Vaccine Appeal Will Test Controversial Mass Torts Case Management Tool.” Reuters, 18 Oct. 2023, www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/column-merck-shingles-vaccine-appeal-will-test-controversial-mass-torts-case-2023-10-18.
- Jackson, Irvin. “Zostavax Shingles Vaccine Effectiveness “Waned Substantially” after 10 Years: Study.” AboutLawsuits.com, 17 Nov. 2023, www.aboutlawsuits.com/zostavax-shingles-vaccine-effectivenss-study/.
