Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. According to the CDC, over 43 million people had HPV in 2018, with many cases occurring in teens or young adults. In addition to safe sex practices, healthcare professionals recommend vaccinations to avoid HPV. However, the HPV vaccine Gardasil may cause severe health complications in patients. If Gardasil harmed you or a loved one, reach out today to learn more about how a Gardasil lawsuit may benefit you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who have received the Gardasil vaccine to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). Lawsuits against Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, allege that children and teens who received the vaccine later experienced systemic autoimmune dysregulation and various nervous system disorders.
The American multinational pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. introduced Gardasil in 2006 to immunize the public against HPV. This STI is easily transmissible through sexual activity, or in some cases spread through close skin-to-skin contact. Some HPV carriers may remain asymptomatic, and people can develop symptoms years after having sex with someone infected with HPV. In the majority of cases, HPV goes away in two years without any health complications. Although, in some instances, HPV may result in cancers of the vagina, anus, vulva, penis, and the back of the throat.
Gardasil stimulates the body’s immune system to create antibodies against HPV. Therefore, healthcare professionals recommend the vaccine for adolescents between 11 and 12 years old. It is one of two vaccines available for HPV, and the vaccine targets multiple strains of HPV.
The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) routinely monitor the safety of vaccines through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). In 2009, the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article that explored the data for select adverse events reported between 2006 and 2008 in connection with Gardasil. The study found over 12,000 reports of adverse events in patients who received the Gardasil vaccine. Of those reports, 6.2% were classified as serious events.
Compared to other vaccines, a higher proportion of Gardasil patients reported adverse health events such as syncope (fainting) and venous thromboembolic. Studies found that individuals who received Gardasil were at an increased risk of developing Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a rare neurological condition that leads to muscle weakness. From 2015 to 2018, VAERS received a total of 758 reports of serious health conditions in connection with the HPV vaccine.
Research suggests Gardasil may cause severe autoimmune, nervous, and reproductive system disorders. Some of the conditions linked to Gardasil include:
The FDA granted Merck fast-track approval in just six months for Gardasil in 2006. Medical professionals and researchers have criticized this expedited approval of Gardasil as too hasty and without sufficient evidence to prove the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine. Lawsuits accuse Merck of producing misleading data in its design of the trials and the results submitted to ensure the approval of Gardasil. This is not the first time Merck has been accused of tampering with clinical trials. Before Gardasil, accounts surfaced that Merck scientists skewed the trials and results for the arthritis drug, Vioxx. According to internal documents, Merck did not compare Vioxx to a placebo and manipulated data to downplay the cardiovascular risks linked to Vioxx. Again, the company has been accused of not studying Gardasil against a true controlled placebo.
Plaintiffs in Gardasil vaccine lawsuits claim to have developed serious injuries and conditions years after receiving the vaccine. Victims allege that Merck failed to disclose the full extent of Gardasil’s side effects and neglected to properly test the vaccine. Furthermore, lawsuits argue that Merck falsely advertised that Gardasil prevents cervical cancer in addition to HPV. Yet, a study in 2020 suggests that there is insufficient evidence to conclude Gardasil prevents cervical cancer.
Several individuals across various states, including Florida, California, and Connecticut, have filed lawsuits against Merck for manufacturing and marketing a defective and unreasonably dangerous vaccine. In August 2022, all federal Gardasil HPV lawsuits were consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Western District of North Carolina.
There are 105 Gardasil lawsuits in the MDL as of October 2023. Furthermore, attorneys expect the first Gardasil trial to begin in 2023.
If you or a loved one developed an injury or illness after receiving the Gardasil vaccine, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
We understand that financial compensation cannot make amends for the lifelong health complications caused by the Gardasil vaccine. But, a Gardasil lawsuit can assist you in holding Merck & Co. accountable for violating the trust of thousands of Gardasil recipients. Instead of conducting honest clinical trials, Gardasil lawsuits allege Merck falsified and embellished data to favor Gardasil. Rather than appropriately explore the potential health hazards surrounding the vaccine, plaintiffs accuse Merck of pushing Gardasil onto the market.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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