Ephedra Lawsuits Filed

Heber Springs Sun Times ^ | Randy Kemp

[TXLibertarian]

Ephedra lawsuits filed

By Randy Kemp / Sun-Times Editor Attorneys for Cynthia Rogers filed suit recently in Cleburne Circuit Court seeking unspecified damages from Wal-Mart and Matabolife International, Inc. for injuries she says was caused by taking the ephedra-based weight-loss product over a period of time.

The civil suit, filed by Fayetteville attorney Michael Hodson, describes Metabolife as a matabolic enhancer, "widely promoted by the defendants as effective and safe." The product was sold at Wal-Mart stores.

But, the suit says, Rogers has experienced fatigue, chest pain and irregular heartbeat that resulted in a stroke. The defendants aggressively marketed" the product "while downplaying the evidence of the serious and potentially fatal side effects that consumers of the drug could suffer," the suit states. It also claims that Metabolife was known to cause central nervous system damage, seizures, cardiovascular hypertenson, palpitations, cardiac arrest, and even sudden death. But, the complaint adds, the defendant failed to adequately warn about these risks.

The case is one of about 90 that attorneys are filing in a mass tort in Arkansas, Oklahoma and West Virginia, attorney Tamera Venzke said Wednesday. "They all involve ephedra-based products advertised as diet aids."

"What we've discovered is that the health hazards were well known to the makers of these products," she said, adding that her clients have suffered strokes, heart attacks, seizures and other problems associated with those products, "and we even have some deaths."

[TXLibertarian]

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Ads have started appearing in my local market seeking claimants for a lawsuit against Metabolife. Makes me wonder if the trial lawyers were working behind the scenes in DC to push for the recent ban on Ephedra in order to strengthen their cases.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I wouldn't be surprised if the drug companies are behind this.

[smith288]

Ephedra? The same stuff that warned not to take if you have high blood pressure?

[realpatriot71]

I wouldn't give a dime to anyone who of their own free will, and not under the instruction of a professional, took any supplement and had a bad experience. It says quite clearly on all supplments that the statements of said supplements have not been verified by the FDA = use at your own risk, idiot.

At least I know I won't ever be pulling jury duty on one of these . . .

People used to take responsibilty for their actions and the consequences of said actions, now, it's always someone else's fault.

[Blue Screen of Death]

Metabolife was known to cause central nervous system damage, seizures, cardiovascular hypertenson, palpitations, cardiac arrest, and even sudden death.

Yeah, but you are going to look great in a bikini.

[Britton J Wingfield]

I took some ephedra this morning. I feel great.

[netmilsmom]

Where did you get it?

[Britton J Wingfield]

I bought it from a regualar vitamin vendor about 6 months ago. It was legal to sell at the time.

Actually, they are still selling their remaining stock.