Question:
I took fen-phen years ago and I am wondering should I file a claim
I was on fen-phen for two months years ago. I never considered filing a claim because I didn't think I was on it long enough. I have since found out that I am eligible. Since being on fen-phen I developed high blood pressure and my physician states that I have a very minor heart murmur both of which could be attributed to fen-phen. I am not a person who is trying to get something for nothing. My family has a history of elevated blood pressure and I've had an echocardiogram and the murmur was so insignificant that I was told not to worry about it. I would love any advice that anyone could give me on this. Also if you filed a claim, did you retain a lawyer? Could you suggest any websites I could go to in order to get information? Thanks everyone. — Teresa G. (posted on March 24, 2002)
March 24, 2002
I have to ask the opposite question as Ronni's. Who benefits from these
large class action lawsuits? The attorneys. I was part of a suit several
years ago against an insurance company. I had been paying 50% of my
therapist's fee as required by the insurance company. At that time it was
$80 per session, so I paid $40. The suit was filed because the insurance
company's maximum allowance was $75, so they were paying her half of that,
even though the EOBs they sent me indicated that they were paying her $40.
I had been seeing her for more than 5 years at the time. So, if you take
the $2.50 extra I was paying and multiply it by 48 (didn't see her all 52
weeks each year, due to vacation, sickness, etc.) and then multiply it by 5
(number of years) and you'll come up with $600. The check I got was for
$27 and change. Who got the money? The attorneys who filed the
suit.<p>The manufacturers of Redux will pay for you to be examined
for possible heart problems without being part of a lawsuit. To me, that
sounds like a reasonable option. I did take it for a very short time and
plan to take advantage of that.
— garw
March 24, 2002
When I took Phen Phen no one knew about the problems with it. I would very
much like to look into the law suit. If it has damaged my heart I want to
know.
— Danmark
March 24, 2002
The website for the Fen/Phen lawsuit is: www.settlementdietdrugs.com
— Anna L.
March 24, 2002
I think it's a good idea
I just answered one of those ads to call an 800 phone number for phen-fen
lawsuit. It is a class action and the law office will be forwarding a
packet to me this week. It is a contingency lawsuit, meaning if there is a
settlement in support of the plaintiff {us, essentially}, the attorneys
keep 33%of the settlement, plus expenses. The remainder is distributed
equally to those who have enlisted the lawfirm to represent them.
It is necessary to obtain your prescriptions hx and get copies. This
shouldn't be too hard as most of us get rxs filled in the neighborhood. It
may also be necessary to have an EKG. This is all I know, for now.
— michelle R.
March 24, 2002
Ronni,
I am just asking for information. I am sure you feel strongly about your
point, but this is a website to share informaiton and not be judgemental.
Whatever my final decision will be will be mine alone. I am sorry doctors
are leaving your state in droves. Maybe you should lobby for some type of
change. Just my thougts on this. Smooches!
— Teresa G.
March 24, 2002
I did call the 800 number to get the paperwork to file a claim and about 2
weeks later it came in the mail. There is SO MUCH PAPERWORK that Im
thinking that I will need a lawyer to just help me understand it..Do I fill
out the green form or blue form, or is it orange or all..very confusing.
Makes me kinda think that they do that so that we will get discouraged and
not file at all, it has discouraged me and I took the medication for 10
months.
— mastrnservnt
March 25, 2002
how and where do you file a claim for this please as i was a fen-phen user
for years on a daily basis and suffer from 2 enlarged heart valves
thanks for your time..
— Rachel F.
March 25, 2002
I took Phen/Fen before it was removed from the market. I refuse to
consider filing a claim! Why? I was informed of the potential
side-effects, including PPH. I researched them. I AGREED to take the
risks! I didn't have to...I could have tried another diet...joined another
gym...tried different medication. Instead, I decided that the benefits
outweighed the risks and forged ahead.
As a physician, I would feel like quite the hypocrite if I decided to sue a
pharmaceutical company because I was unfortunate enough to get side-effects
I agreed to expose myself to!
ALL medications have side-effects. ALL medications can kill
you...especially if taken incorrectly or not as prescribed. I could die
from the next antibiotic my PCP prescribes for me. Will I refuse it and
hope the infection clears itself up? Nope...I'll continue to take my
chances.
Anyone planning on suing if they have a reaction to anesthesia? Or develop
a stricture? Or develop a leak? Or a hernia? There are inherent risks in
everything...you have to weigh the benefits versus the risks and hope for
the best!
— Pamela B.
May 24, 2002
Theresa, I am so sorry to read about your problem. It's a very upsetting
thing to learn about yourself. I just had an echocardiogram today and
found out I have a leakage in two of my heart valves. I took Phen-Fen too.
It scares the hell out of me. Go ahead and find out your options. You
never agreed to heart damage when you took the pills. Anyone who pretends
otherwise is a greedy pig worrying about their money and not your body.
Sorry if I'm being too bold for some here but it really makes me angry when
anyone, who does not have this problem, takes a self righteous stand that
is only motivated by a fear of losing their money. The greed of such
people disgusts me. It reminds me of people who say we are adding to the
high cost of insurance because we are too weak willed to lose weight on our
own. Yeah, I know my opinion is inviting a flamewar from the greedy but
screw them. They can have any and all money I get from Phen-Fen plus the
heart valve damage if they love money that much.
Can you tell I'm very upset and frightened about the recent discovery of my
heart valve damage? Great, just #^$%#&@* great. What next?
— Carmen K.
September 8, 2002
This is what is called a class action lawsuit. You do not have to hire a
lawyer because one has already been appointed to represent you and the many
others in this lawsuit. You have nothing to lose by filing a claim.
— Darlene P.
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