Charleston woman claims Levaquin caused injuries

CHARLESTON -- A Charleston couple is suing three drug companies after a prescription drug caused injuries.

Kimmy McNair and Larry McNair filed a lawsuit March 17 in Kanawha Circuit Court against Johnson & Johnson, Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc., citing products liability.

The complaint states on March 23, 2012, Kimmy McNair was prescribed and began taking Levaquin. About one week later, the plaintiff collapsed and was diagnosed with ARDS, as a result of taking Levaquin, according to the complaint. ARDS is acute respiratory distress syndrome, and it is a life-threatening lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood.

The plaintiffs allege the defendants negligently researched, manufactured, sold, advertised, tested and labeled Levaquin, failed to warn, negligently described the medication as safe and failed to act reasonably.

The plaintiffs are seeking an undisclosed amount in damages, including punitive damages.

Kimmy McNair and Larry McNair are being represented by Matthew C. Lind­say and Richard D. Lind­say of Tabor Lindsay & Associates. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 14-C-534