Judge Seeborg, who is presiding over the Viagra melanoma MDL in the Northern District of California decided to expand the litigation. It will now include claims against manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company for patients who used Cialis (or both medications) and developed melanoma.

Melanoma is Deadly

According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers. However, it is very deadly. Doctors will diagnose almost 90,000 new cases in the U.S. this year alone, and 10,000 will die from the disease. Melanoma rates are on the rise and are expected to grow now that studies link the deadly skin cancer to Viagra usage.

Viagra & Melanoma

Many journals have published studies suggesting men taking Viagra are more likely to develop melanoma than men who have not taken the drug. A failure to warn of this very serious risk. A risk that could be the basis for a claim.
One study by the National Institutes of Health involved nearly 26,000 men and found that sildenafil, which is the active ingredient in Viagra, may increase a man’s risk of developing melanoma by as much as 84 %. Beginning in 2000, the study interviewed participants about their use of Viagra, sexual health and their history of sun exposure. They compared this to a risk of genetic skin cancer, including a history of moles and eye and hair color.
Over the next 10 years, researchers noted various skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Researchers found 3,030 incidences of basal cell carcinoma, 580 of squamous cell carcinoma and 142 of melanoma. They concluded men who used Viagra had a two-fold risk of developing melanoma. However, there did not appear to be a link between Viagra and a higher risk of developing other types of skin cancers.
Additionally, researchers did not find any evidence that suffering from ED increases a man’s risk of melanoma. This does not necessarily prove that Viagra causes skin cancer, but there is a link between the two.

Viagra Melanoma Litigation

Over the past 12 months, Judge Seeborg has held regular hearings to obtain reports on the progress of the litigation. Presently, he is hearing depositions for the discovery of information pertaining to the litigation. It is estimated that it will likely take another 6 to 12 months to complete the production of documents from the drug companies. It could be tens of millions of pages of documents produced by employees in the United States and internationally.
After Pfizer produces the documents, depositions will need to be taken of employees critical in Viagra’s development along with those involved in marketing, monitoring scientific studies, and the surveillance of adverse reports of the drug.

Additional Cialis Claims

Since Judge Seeborg recently added the Cialis claims to the litigation, the first proceedings will revolve around just Viagra. The judge has not set the first trials yet. But when he does, he will select individual cases for the bellwether trial process.  It is likely that the first Viagra and perhaps Cialis cases will be tried in 2018 or 2019.  Prior to any jury trials, Judge Seeborg will rule upon a number of legal issues. This includes the admissibility of scientific testimony and evidence.

We Want to Help Melanoma Victims

It is your right to have the drug companies inform you about the long-term risks associated with the medications you take. If you or a loved one took Viagra and developed, you should demand accountability from Pfizer. Why didn’t they tell you?
We want to help send a message that this is not acceptable. We are advocates for consumers who have been harmed by dangerous products, and we have the experience necessary to successfully litigate these cases.
On June 15, 2016, U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg appointed Attorney Michael Brady Lynch, lead trial attorney and founder of The Michael Brady Lynch Firm in Winter Park, FL to serve on the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee (PSC) in Viagra litigation MDL #2691.

Thus, it is no surprise that Judge Seeborg appointed Attorney Michael Brady Lynch to this prestigious position. Lynch has represented thousands of plaintiffs in MDLs and state-coordinated mass tort claims from around the country. He has recovered over $250 million in verdicts and settlements.
Attorney Michael Brady Lynch is no stranger to leadership positions in prominent mass tort actions. Also, Attorney Michael Brady Lynch was appointed to the PSC in the Pradaxa MDL #2385.  Boehringer went on to settle Pradaxa claims for over $650 million. Lynch is dedicated to bringing the same determination for justice on the Viagra Plaintiff’s Steering Committee.

Contact the Michael Brady Lynch Firm today for a free consultation to learn more about seeking justice. A jury may give you compensation for any medical expenses associated with this ordeal. Also, it can include your physical and emotional suffering. There is no obligation.