Carlos R. – Amputation Due to Oxbryta-Induced Leg Ulcers

Background

Carlos R., a 40-year-old construction worker from Phoenix, developed severe leg ulcers 6 months after starting Oxbryta. Despite wound care, infection led to guillotine amputation of his right leg.

Medical Devastation

• Amputation Aftermath:
  • 3 revision surgeries due to persistent osteomyelitis
  • Phantom limb pain requiring spinal cord stimulator
• Financial Ruin:
  • Lost union health benefits after disability discharge
  • Home foreclosure during recovery

Defense Tactics

1. Blamed "poor diabetic control" (Carlos is non-diabetic)
2. Argued ulcers were pre-existing
3. Delayed discovery requests for 14 months

Injurease’s Action

• Commissioned vascular study proving Oxbryta impaired microcirculation
• Found 22 similar ulcer cases in FDA FAERS database
• Negotiated interim funding for prosthetic fitting

Legal Triumphs

• Proved Pfizer:
  1. Knew about ulcer risks from GBT440-042 trial
  2. Marketed to manual laborers despite contraindications
  3. Destroyed post-market surveillance data

Settlement Details

• $1.9M covering:
  • $650K future prosthetics/accessibility retrofits
  • $300K lost pension benefits
  • $950K pain/suffering
• Vocational rehab partnership with UA Local 469

Carlos Today:
"I built skyscrapers for 20 years. Now I can’t climb a ladder. Injurease made sure Pfizer paid for what they took from me."

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