According to CTV News, the drug maker Boehringer Ingelheim plans to settle Pradaxa blood thinner lawsuits with a $650 settlement. The company came under fire after patients who used the blood thinner began to claim that the medication caused serious side effects.

The drug was created for use as an anti-coagulant used to treat atrial filiation. It is also used in the U.S. for treatment in deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. Originally, the medication was hailed because it provided an alternative to warfarin, a drug that comes with severe dietary restrictions and requires extensive blood tests. Studies show that it is effective in helping to reduce blood clots and can lower the risk of a stroke.

However, the miracle drug came with some setbacks, primarily internal and excessive bleeding. Some of the claims against the drug even included fatal bleeding. There is currently no antidote for excessive bleeding, so the condition has led to fatalities and devastating injuries. The creators of Pradaxa argue that warfarin can also trigger life-threatening bleeding in some patients. There is a cure for warfarin-induced excessive bleeding; patients will often recover if they are given vitamin K, which promotes clotting.

Several Canadian users of the medication have also filed lawsuits, but it has not yet been reported whether the company's massive settlement in the U.S. will have any impact on the lawsuits filed in the country up north.

Reports announce that Boehringer Ingelheim continues to defend the drug and say that it's benefits and safety have been confirmed through many clinical trials. The German company says that they will stand behind the medication, but they are issuing the settlement in order to minimize the distractions and uncertainty of protracted litigation.

There are approximately, 4,000 state and federal claims against the company that will be resolved through the $650 settlement. The company says that it will vigorously defend itself against any plaintiffs who refuse to accept the settlement.

If you have been injured due to a dangerous drug, don't hesitate to contact a medical malpractice lawyer right away. You may be able to file a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer or a hospital that issued the drug while knowledgeable of its dangerous side effects. Use this directory to find an attorney near you!