What is Multidistrict Litgation?

Thousands of lawsuits across the country may be filed with a mass tort. These lawsuits are filed in numerous federal district courts. In a mass tort, federal judges will consolidate the thousands of lawsuits into a single proceeding. One judge in a single federal district court will oversee litigation, allowing for consistent rulings and a more expeditious process for the plaintiffs.

What is the Difference Between a Mass Tort Lawsuit and Class Action?

In a mass tort, each plaintiff (injured person) has an individual claim resulting from their unique damages. In a class action, many plaintiffs are considered collectively. Similarly, in a mass tort, each individual’s claim “value” is unique to the severity of their injuries. In a class action, plaintiffs generally suffer injuries of similar severity, resulting in the same amount of compensation value.

A tort is a civil wrongful act committed by a person or company that results in harm to another person. A mass tort is when multiple victims are injured by the same single tort.

Ambien

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Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) is a prescription drug manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis and used to treat insomnia. While arguably a useful sleep aid, Ambien may also lead to more serious and even deadly adverse events, including severe allergic reaction, abnormal thinking and behavioral changes, visual and auditory hallucinations, agitation, depersonalization, and parasomnia.

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Ambien, a sedative-hypnotic sleep aid, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992 for treating short-term insomnia. Millions of Ambien prescriptions are filled each year, making it the top-selling sleep aid in the United States. There are several common side effects associated with Ambien, including:

Drowsiness
Dizziness
Diarrhea

Ambien may also lead to more serious adverse events, including severe allergic reaction, abnormal thinking and behavioral changes, visual and auditory hallucinations, agitation, depersonalization, and parasomnia.

Ambien Sleepwalking and Sleep Driving

Many patients taking Ambien have reported doing complex behaviors, such as driving while sleep, after taking Ambien. Other behaviors, such as preparing and eating food and talking on the phone have also been reported. In some cases, patients do not remember such events when they occur. Serious and fatal accidents can occur if semi-conscious individuals drive a car or operate other heavy machinery.

These behaviors are referred to as parasomnias. Anything that occurs abnormally while people sleep can be categorized as a parasomnia. Parasomnias include:

Sleepwalking
Night terrors
Sleep eating
Sleep paralysis
Sleep talking
Sleep hallucinations
Bedwetting

Confusional Arousals and Ambien

Sedative and hypnotic drugs like Ambien have central nervous system depressing effects. Confusional arousals, or acting strangely shortly after waking up, is another serious side effect. In 2013, the FDA approved a label change for zolpidem-containing medications such as Ambien. The FDA changed the dosage recommendations due to the increased risk of next-morning impairment.

Injured After Taking Ambien? Contact Our Experienced Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury after taking the sleeping medication Ambien, contact Thomas J. Henry. Our team of experienced pharmaceutical drug litigation lawyers are available to hear your case and see if you may be entitled to compensation. Pharmaceutical companies continue to put profit before safety. We have the experience and financial resources that you need to take on these pharmaceutical drug giants and bring them to justice. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.