Frank Petosa Named to Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in 'Low T' MDL

Morgan & Morgan is pleased to announce that Frank Petosa, an attorney with the firm’s complex litigation group, has been appointed to the plaintiffs’ steering committee (PSC) in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving harmful side effects allegedly caused by controversial low testosterone medications, commonly referred to as “Low T” therapies.

The Testosterone Replacement Therapy MDL will streamline and expedite the legal process for men alleging injury as a result of using testosterone and the PSC will fight to ensure that they receive the justice they deserve.

“Testosterone manufacturers, seeking to increase their profits, heavily promoted testosterone as a safe and effective way for men to re-discover their youth while the companies made billions of dollars. However, they were aware that testosterone is for a limited percentage of men and that it can cause men to suffer heart attacks, strokes and blood clots,” Petosa said in a statement. “As a result of the greed of testosterone manufacturers, men have suffered cardiovascular injuries and died. I and the other members of the PSC will have the privilege of holding testosterone manufacturers accountable for their conduct and responsible for causing men to suffer cardiovascular injuries and death from using testosterone.”

In June, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated into a single judicial proceeding all federal lawsuits filed nationwide involving the dangerous side effects of Low T therapies. The Honorable Matthew F. Kennelly of the Eastern District of Illinois will preside over the litigation. While class action lawsuits generally involve one person representing the interests of an entire group, or class, of people, the federal court system will create an MDL when plaintiffs across the country file numerous lawsuits alleging similar injuries from a defective product or dangerous prescription drug.

“The Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) MDL will streamline and expedite the legal process for men alleging injury as a result of using testosterone and the PSC will fight to ensure that they receive the justice they deserve,” Petosa said.

The attorneys serving on the PSC are responsible for, among other things, conducting pretrial proceedings and gathering evidence to help expedite the litigation.

Many of the patients who have used Low T products experienced harmful side effects, including heart attacks, strokes, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms, and other serious conditions. The lawsuits allege that the makers of six popular low testosterone therapies failed to warn patients and doctors of these risks.

“Morgan & Morgan is dedicated to protecting and working for the people, not the powerful,” Petosa said. “My position on the plaintiffs’ steering committee will allow me to fight for men and the families harmed by the greed of testosterone manufacturers.”