Wyeth on Monday said it supports changes in a nationwide Fen Phen Settlement, speeding up compensation for a large majority of class members who claim they suffured injury from taking Pondimin and Redux.
The agreement, labeled the 7th Amendment, creates a new claims processing structure, funding arrangement and payment schedule for the least serious but most numerous claims in the Settlement.
About 40,000 people with non-life-threatening heart-valve damage, the biggest group of claimants, would be covered by the new fund.
Under the agreement, Wyeth would deposit $1.275 billion into a Supplemental Fund to pay claimants who pass a medical review that determines they suffered damage from the drugs. If a person who does not qualify for a payment after such medical review would be paid $2,000 from the Supplemental Fund.
The remaining balance of the original $3.75 billion Trust will be used to help the victims who have ongoing health problems in years to come.
If a person has or develops heart valve surgery or certain other more serious medical conditions by December 31, 2011, they would remain eligible to submit claims to the existing Settlement Trust. In the event the existing Settlement Trust is unable to pay those claims, the Company would guarantee payment, Wyeth said in a statement.
“Although the proposed Amendment must undergo further judicial review, we are encouraged by the greater than 95 percent level of participation by class members in the Settlement,” Lawrence V. Stein, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Wyeth, said. “The proposed Amendment ensures that the large majority of class members who have less serious claims will receive compensation on a streamlined basis.”
American Home Products, now Wyeth, pulled the Fen Phen combination drugs Pondimin and Redux from the market in September 1997, after being linked to heart valve damage and a highly fatal lung condition.
(via PR Newswire)
{ 46 comments }
What is the time frame on settlements, I’ve been waiting for 4 years
Just send me updates
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THOSE WHO DID NOT GO WITH THE 7TH AMDNT.THOSE WHO WHERE ON THE MATRIX LEVEL II.IT SEEMS LIKE THE LAWYERS SOLD EVERYONE DOWN THE RIVER
WHAT INTREST GRROUP WILL LOOK AFTER THE 5% WHO DID NOT JOIN THE 7TH?
Those who did not sign on for the 7th Amendment remain in the original settlement. They will either take their chances in court or hope that Wyeth makes some sort of offer to settle. Good luck!
Four years is nothing gleaton i know some folks who have been waiting since 1998. and have not been paid yet. surely they cannot hold off on paying peolpe forever. It’s like we are playing the waiting game.
What is the latest news on those that have opted out of class action suit and did not go with the 7th amendment?
I’m in a group of 3300 persons (lawyer from Houston) who did not go with the 7th. My lawyer’s office doesn’t tell me anything. I finally decided to dig for myself. I am in the lowest damaged category. My friend had no damage and received $40,000 ~4 years ago just because she could prove that she took the drug. Anyone out there? Where to go for info? Thx
How long until we have word that the passed the 7th amendment. When are they going to settle. Please Send me any information possible. Thank you.
Like everybody else I want to know what’s the time frame on the settlement. Send me some updates.
When will I receive the settlement.
I would like any updates you have, my lawyers don’t tell me nothing either.
Who do we contact to find out if we have passed the audit? Does anyone have any info?
My lawsuit is through the New Jersey Fen Phen court. I went with the seventh ammendment group. What kind of time frame can we expect before a settlement with Wyeth?
When will the fen phen settlements be reach? How much longer do we have to wait? It has been close to 4 years now? I have had a deposition.
The comments posted here are useful, but is there a place where some real discussion can take place?
Can anyone tell me about the phen fen settlements? I have been waiting for over 4 years. My aunt took the drug for one month and received a settlement of $240,000 after attorney fees. I took for over 6 months. I am extremely upset because no one will tell me anything. Someone please let me know
I have been able to get regular info from the Law Firm that my lawsuit was filed through by typing a letter with my Fen-Phen File Case number and then faxing this letter to them. I also included my email address on the letter I sent & they have emailed me back a letter each time I faxed them one. Try this method to see if it works for everyone who has posted non response from their lawyers on this website.
My mother took the drug for almost 4 years and they have been yanking her around for so long. It seems she gets no answers from her lawyers anyone have any info that i can look at to see where this is all going? Any help would be welcomed Thanks
I have diagnosed with moderate aortic
prolapse. I have just recently been diposed. I am curios if anyone else has had the same problem & if they have settled yet?
i have been waiting since 2000. my attorney sends no response. if i call i get no answers. im always told that they are in talks with wyeth and it could be soon. i also have a friend that received a settlement in 2001 for over 350,000.00. she did not take the drug as long as i did. if anyone out there has actually had an attorney that did anything please let me know.
Opt Outs- have settled–they will see money before anyone in the 7th A.
7th A-still has a long way to go. First, there are pending appeals. Secondly, the claims are not being processed. They will be eventually, but no money can be dispursed while the appeal is pending regfardless of your audit results.
i do not know why the attorney`s can`t give us any answers. what is wrong i think we have waited long enough.
Steve,
What do you mean by “the Opt outs have been settled?”
I HAD HEART SURGERY ALMOST 2 YRS AGO. THEY REPLACED BOTH OF MY VALVES. I WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT OVER TWO WEEKS I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING ON IT YET. I WENT THROUGH A HARD SURGERY WAS VERY SICK, I AM ON THE HIGHEST MATRIX WHEN ARE THEY GONNA PAY ANY BODY. DO WE HAVE TO BE DEAD. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO DID NOT HAVE THE OPERATION AND GOT A LOT OF MONEY. WE NEED SOME RESPOND FROM SOME BODY EVERY BODY TRY TO STICK TOGETHER IT HAS BEEN A LONG HARD ROAD. I KNOW FROM WHAT I WENT THROUGH.
ihave severe mitral valve damage.iwas supposed to get 420 thousand dollarsat the beginning.then it went to 200 hundred ,then went to 80 thousand ,then to 13 thousand ,then back to 68 thousand an this has been going on for 4 to5 years an i havent go anything i know people that got a lot of money but not me alma thompson
I too have been waiting since 2000, I contacted my lawyer on Friday August 20th and they said they hope to have this all settled by the end of the year, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. We are getting the short end of the deal with the 7th amendment. I have moderate damage of the mitral, mild damage to the aorta valve and slight damage to the tricuspate. plus some scaring and I’m hearing I will only receive $10,000 tops after all the fees. I’m not happy at all!
What is the ststis of the ones that have passed the audit process and were ready to receive a check. Until the 7th ammendment came along and stoped everything. Can anyone help, with information?
i feel we should all start sending the judge letters we need to put faces on our cases
Why cant the government step in to help wyeth pay the original amount?They helped the victims of 911?I couldn t work & heart medication is very expensive.Uncle Sam please help me.
As of 8-22-05, those of us who opt-out, what are U hearing. My legal counsel say’s, I should be hearing in a few wks. I have Moderate damage. Took drug for five months.
If the Lawyers, and the Doctors. or the Judge. or the President of the Wythe Corpration is not reading these messages we are sending. There is no reason for anyone of us to get all discouraged because we are the only ones reading them and letting each other know how we feel. and want we have been going threw. We have to believe that the Lord has not brought us this far to leave us. I’m beleiving God for myself, and for all of you. We have been praying that The Lord move all red tape, out of the way, and that we find favor with every Lawyer, Judge, and Doctor, and President of the company. And that they do the right thing by us, because no amountt of money can replace our health. I GO IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL EVERY OTHER MONTH I’VE HAD A STOKE, IN APRIL AND HAD A (TIA) 2 WKS AGO IN AUGUST OF THIS MONTH THE BAD PART ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS THE DOCTOR SAID I WAS OK. BUT I HAVE NOW BLOOD BACKING UP IN BOTH VALVES. I HAVE GOOD DAYS AND NOT SO GOOD DAYS. I PRAY THAT THINGS GET SETTLED NOW AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. THE WORD OF GOD SAYS THAT I CAN DO ALL THINGS THREW CHRIST WHO STRENTGHEN ME. KEEP THE FAITH THE LORD IS GOING TOO LOOSE OUR BLESSING. NOW.
why dont we all fire everyone and go in together and go after the court system
Three of us were diagnosed with moderate mitral valve reguritation. Our court dates were scheduled for the end of September. Unknown to us our attorney’s settled our cases and then told us that we needed to have another echo after they told us not too. I did, because, after the 5 years of listening to them and their bogus promises I felt worse and have been sicker than ever. I found out that all three of us were remarkably cured, but there are no records at the doctor’s office or tapes. The lawyers, drug companies and the wealthy profit, we the injured do not. They have all ready settled, cashed the check and tried to pressure us with false tests to sign the settlement and we have told them where to go. Someone needs to fight for our rights and i think we should all join together and rebel! This is wrong, we are after all the injured parties! Lynette
I took the Phen-fen for over 3 years I have a Laywer just had another echocrdagram done and everything is still the same it has been 3 years now and still i am getting the runaround and have not yet recieved a dime. I sent the Paralegal a email asking what is going on with my case and she said that they just settled in court and they are working on the settlements and letters will be sent out the end of Sept
we will see
I’m with attorneys out of San Francisco and haven’t heard anything since receiving the info recommending the 7th ad. I’m being to think this who thing is by the lawyers and for the lawyers because after all these years they probably have more billable hours then there are in a day!
I was with a law firm in Texas and when they sent me something to sign to go with the seventh my husband and i decided not to. We are not with any law firm now but just part of the class action. Anyone in this situation? Teri in memphis
I have had the same experience all of you have had. When I call, my lawyer is in a meeting. His secretary always says that he will call back, but I rarely hear anything. When I did get a call, the lawyer said that a settlement was “close”. I agree that these lawyers are looking out for themselves. Also, the judge presiding over these cases has a clear bias in favor of Wyeth. I have moderate damage and have developed every symptom recognized. What are they doing, waiting till we all die?
Has anyone heard from their lawyers regarding settlement or received settlement With Wyeth? It is impossible to get any news regarding this from newspapers, TV, or the internet. It does seem as 3-5 years would be enough time for settlement if there is going to be one.
I found helpful information on this web site (injurytalk.com). I hope it will be helpful to you all also.
I’m glad I found this board! Before Redux was even pulled, I was having sharp chest px that I described as someone sticking a straw through my heart. My doctor listened and sent me straight into Spokane for an echocardiogram. The doctor told me on planning on having a mitral valve replacement within ten years–I was still taking redux! The hole was the exact size of a drinking straw, and the regurgitation was peaking at 41% on exhertion. A year later redux came off the market. I wasn’t paying attention to all the clamor until I saw a 60 minutes and added things up. I filed in the class action. It took over a year to get all the forms back and forth; complicating things further I moved. They asked for the original cardiogram when I challenged the second cardiogram that somehow appeared normal (self-correction?). Again, another tape was requested and a report from the original cardiologist with notes. I was told the doctor had been asked to leave the practice and they would not give me his details. Then they said I would have to pay for this copy. I gave my creditcard #. Then I was told they had lost my patient records so they could not provide notes. Fortunately, my other physician had provided me complete medical records when I moved and had noted his conversation with the cardiologist; however, I was told after two weeks that the cardiologist office had “lost” the tape. I asked how a patient records and tape could be so mishandled and lost when the state law requires they be maintained for 12 years even if the practice has to pay for archiving of such records. The person who had been specially designated to the “AHP matters” became silent on the phone. I stated that I was more than familiar with medical records and record keeping and if she wanted to standby her story she would have to provide a statement to be placed on record that she had lost these critical records and that my personal physicians notes would have to stand in lieu. She did so. The last time I spoke to the Settlement Trust they had revaluated my case entirely and moved me onto the list. Now I’m wondering where everyone went to? I need to know where to file my most recent address just in case any of us ever do get paid! Can’t we all join together and place a public lien against Wyeth? This would prevent them from selling assets and capital(bonds and stocks for profit without directing those profits to us first)and protect us against any chapter 11 filings. Just a thought. But if anyone out there can please provide me with where I need to file my new address–if I am still around at the end of this, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.
My mom passed away on Jul 8, 2005
She was an opt out that had a deposition scheduled for April. They cancelled the deposition she then went into the hospital then life support and finally passed. They requested an autopsy. I agreed. Not I get a letter stating our condolences but we’re closing her case. She was told by her attorney Fleming in Houston to Opt Out at that point in the class her case was valued at a min of $473,000. The opt out case was supposed to be worth millions. For years they kept telling us her case was being scheduled for trail. They knew she was dieing, and kept telling her it was comming. That that she’s gone they’re washing their hands of the whole thing. It’s breaking my heart because my mom hung on for so long with hopes that this case would come to fruition. I’ve done some research and come to find that her case wasn’t even filed in court so how could she have a depostion. Does anyone know a malpractice attorney who specializes in this type of thing?
I would like to here from anyone who is with a lawfirm in Texas and has been told that they are close to a settlement, maybe we can be a help to each other.
i hate to tell you all this but i spoke to fleming a few weeks ago and was told a few asked for appeal of 7th so now it is in the court of appeals which can stay there for who knows how long
I am so sorry about Bernadette’s mother, has anyone heard where there are law firms that have settled and are now sending signoff pasckages out before Thanksgiving and you are to sign these packages without the settlement amount being on them. Should anyone sign a settlement package of any kind without the settlement amount on it?
Iv been waiting for six years can any body give me imformation.PLEASE?
I just heard from my lawyers and supposedly they are going to settle before the end of December. Although the amount is not what I would have expected but because of the 7th amendment unfortunately we are not getting what we deserve after all this time.
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