Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Files Suit Against General Electric Company on Behalf of a Man Who Developed Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) from Contrast Agent Omniscan

GREAT NECK, N.Y., Mar. 05 /PRNewswire/ --

GREAT NECK, N.Y., March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Parker Waichman Alonso LLP announces that it has filed suit on behalf of a man diagnosed with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) after receiving two injections of Omniscan, a gadolinium contrast dye manufactured by General Electric Company, its subsidiaries and Novation LLC. NSF is a debilitating, often fatal disease that robs patients of their mobility. NSF is a condition that affects patients with pre-existing kidney disease who have been exposed to gadolinium contrast dyes such as Omniscan. Symptoms of NSF include thickening and hardening of the skin, joint problems, muscle weakness and eye discoloration. The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Docket Number: 2:08-cv-1060)

Zbigniew Marcinczyk, a resident of Philadelphia and a patient with pre-existing kidney disease, received two injections of gadolinium contrast dye in September and December 2005. Representatives from Holy Redeemer Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia have confirmed that the gadolinium contrast dye administered to Marcinczyk was Omniscan. Shortly after the administration of Omniscan, Marcinczyk developed and continues to suffer from the severe, debilitating and progressive fibrotic changes associated with NSF. This has permanently disabled, disfigured and severely impaired the plaintiff.

The lawsuit alleges that the chemical make-up of Omniscan makes it more likely that gadolinium will become free within the bodies of recipients, thereby making it more likely that kidney patients will develop NSF. The lawsuit further alleges that Omniscan is defective, and that the defendants failed to adequately test Omniscan and failed to warn patients about its potential to cause NSF. In September 2007, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) asked the manufacturers of gadolinium contrast dyes to add a black box warning to the product labels about its association with NSF. The FDA also warned that patients with kidney disease should avoid gadolinium contrast agents. NSF is a devastating condition characterized by high blood pressure, burning, itching, swelling and hardening of the skin. Other symptoms include red or dark patches on the skin; pain deep in the hip bones or ribs and muscle weakness. NSF can progress to the point of causing severe stiffness in joints, and it can lead to death. There is currently no cure for NSF.

On February 29, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation designated the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio as the venue for the many lawsuits that have been filed, and those that will be filed in federal district court, against the makers of gadolinium contrast dyes. An estimated 68 cases have been filed in more than a dozen different federal districts against gadolinium contrast dye manufacturers, including General Electric Company. The panel indicated that the Northern District Of Ohio provides a relatively central forum for the centralization of this nationwide litigation.

If you or a loved one has developed NSF after being administered a gadolinium contrast dye, please contact our office by visiting www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective products, tainted foods, medications and medical devices.

CONTACT: Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Fred R. Rosenthal, Managing Attorney (800) LAW-INFO (800) 529-4636 info@yourlawyer.com www.yourlawyer.com