The Alabama Oxbryta lawsuit lawyers at Fob James Law Firm are representing victims of the sickle cell drug known as Oxbryta.
Oxbryta (voxelotor) was once considered a breakthrough treatment for sickle cell disease. Marketed as a life-saving drug, it was prescribed to patients across the country — including many here in Alabama.
Unfortunately, Oxbryta was later linked to serious side effects, including life-threatening vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs), organ damage, and even death. Now, lawsuits are being filed against the manufacturer for failing to warn patients about these risks.
If you or a loved one suffered complications after taking Oxbryta, the attorneys at Fob James Law Firm are here to help.
Contact our Oxbryta injury lawyers in Birmingham, AL today for a free, no-obligation consultation to explore your legal options.
What Is Oxbryta and Why Was Oxbryta Recalled?
Oxbryta (voxelotor) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 to treat sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic condition that affects the red blood cells.
It was designed to improve hemoglobin’s ability to carry oxygen and reduce red blood cell sickling, offering hope to millions living with this genetic blood disorder.
However, in September 2024, Pfizer announced a global recall of Oxbryta after clinical data revealed an increased risk of severe complications, including:
- vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs)
- strokes
- organ failure
- fatalities
Post-marketing studies and real-world data showed that Oxbryta increased the risk of VOCs, a painful condition where sickle-shaped red blood cells block blood flow.
The FDA and European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued warnings, highlighting a significant imbalance in adverse events compared to placebo groups.
Health Risks Associated With Oxbryta
While Oxbryta was intended to reduce SCD complications, studies have linked it to life-threatening side effects, including:
- Vaso-Occlusive Crises (VOCs): Blockages in blood vessels causing severe pain, often requiring hospitalization.
- Stroke: Increased risk of cerebrovascular events due to restricted blood flow.
- Organ Damage: Kidney failure, liver damage, and other long-term complications.
- Death: Higher mortality rates in Oxbryta users compared to placebo groups in clinical trials.
- Other Complications: Increased need for blood transfusions, vision loss, and chronic pain.
The lawsuits claim that Global Blood Therapeutics, a company acquired by Pfizer in 2024, failed to adequately test Oxbryta and to warn doctors and patients about the true risks
Who Qualifies for an Oxbryta Lawsuit in Alabama?
Not everyone who took Oxbryta qualifies for a lawsuit. Generally, you may be eligible to file a claim if:
- You were prescribed Oxbryta and suffered a vaso-occlusive crisis or other severe side effect.
- You were hospitalized or required medical treatment after taking Oxbryta.
- A loved one passed away due to complications while taking Oxbryta.
Contact our Alabama Oxbryta injury lawyers today to determine your eligibility.
Alabama Statute of Limitations
Time to file a lawsuit is critical due to the statute of limitations. In Alabama, most defective drug and product liability lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury or death.
However, the timeline can vary depending on when you discovered the harm. Because missing the deadline can bar your claim forever, it’s critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
What Type of Compensation Is Available?
If your case qualifies, you may be entitled to financial compensation for damages such as:
- Medical Expenses: Hospital stays, treatments, and ongoing care.
- Lost Wages: Income lost due to inability to work.
- Pain and Suffering: Physical and emotional distress.
- Wrongful Death: Compensation for families who lost a loved one.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of egregious misconduct by Pfizer.
Call an Alabama Oxbryta attorney today for a free consultation about potential compensation.
Oxbryta Lawsuit Settlement Information
When Will the Oxbryta Lawsuit Be Settled?
Currently, no official settlement has been announced. Bellwether trials are expected in 2027, which will influence potential global settlements. Factors affecting timelines include:
- Number of cases filed
- Pretrial rulings
- Evidence collection
- Whether the litigation is consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL)
Expected Settlement Amounts for Oxbryta Lawsuits
Since the lawsuits over Oxbryta (voxelotor) are still relatively new and no settlements have been publicly finalized, exact payout figures remain speculative.
However, based on what attorneys are projecting and comparing to similar pharmaceutical liability cases, here are the likely ranges:
| Injury Type | Estimated Settlement Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Injuries | $25,000 – $75,000 | Short-term complications, minor VOCs, brief hospitalization without permanent harm. |
| Moderate Injuries | $75,000 – $200,000 | Repeated VOCs, ongoing medical treatment, or organ stress without permanent disability. |
| Severe Injuries | $200,000 – $500,000+ | Organ failure, long-term disability, or lasting health decline. |
| Wrongful Death | $500,000 – $1,000,000+ | Loss of income or companionship, medical costs, and potential punitive damages. |
Factors influencing settlements include the severity of injuries, medical costs, lost income, and strength of expert testimony.
What Are the Attorney Fees in the Oxbryta Lawsuit?
At Fob James Law Firm, we work on a contingency-fee-basis. This means we only get paid a percentage of the recovery if we successfully resolve your case.
- You pay nothing unless we win your case.
- Our fees are 33–40%, lower than other firms charging 45% in similar litigation.
Call 205-407-6009 to speak with an experienced Oxbryta lawsuit attorney.
Why Hire Fob James Law Firm for Your Oxbryta Claim?
Choosing the right law firm can make all the difference in your case. At Fob James Law Firm, we bring:
- Experience in defective drug cases: Our team has handled complex pharmaceutical and mass tort litigation.
- Local knowledge of Alabama law: We understand the courts, judges, and procedures that affect your claim.
- Personalized Attention: We treat every client like family, not a file number.
- Extensive Resources: Medical experts, investigators, and advanced technology to build a strong case.
- No fees unless we win: You owe nothing out of pocket unless we recover compensation for you.
We are committed to fighting for justice for Alabama families harmed by Oxbryta.
Oxbryta Lawsuit Updates
Last Updated: October 15, 2025
Our attorneys closely follow developments in the Oxbryta litigation and strive to provide monthly litigation updates.
If you have questions about litigation updates, call our Oxbryta lawsuit lawyers at 205-407-6009.
Early Settlement Talks and Case Value Projections (October 15, 2025)
The Oxbryta litigation remains in its early stages, but several key developments have surfaced:
- Settlement talks ongoing: Reports indicate that some federal Oxbryta cases are now in active settlement negotiation.
- New cases filed: One recent lawsuit involves parents of a child who allegedly experienced multiple vaso-occlusive crises and near-fatal complications following Oxbryta use.
- Value projections emerging: Early estimates suggest possible settlement ranges from $20,000 to over $500,000+, depending on severity of injury, though these remain speculative at this stage.
Key Next Steps in the Oxbryta Litigation (September 2, 2025)
| Date / Period | Event | What It Means for Plaintiffs |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 9, 2025 | Court-ordered mediation session with retired Judge Philip S. Gutierrez | First formal settlement discussions; may indicate Pfizer’s willingness to negotiate early payouts. |
| Late 2025 – Early 2026 | Ongoing case consolidation petitions before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) | If approved, an MDL will centralize cases, speeding up pre-trial discovery and creating efficiency for both sides. |
| 2026 (expected) | Discovery phase in bellwether cases | Plaintiffs’ attorneys gain access to Pfizer’s internal studies, clinical trial data, and communications; critical for proving liability. |
| Early 2027 | Expert witness testimony & Daubert hearings | Courts evaluate whether expert opinions linking Oxbryta to VOCs, organ failure, and deaths meet admissibility standards. |
| June 7, 2027 | Allen v. Pfizer bellwether trial | First major trial; outcome will influence settlement negotiations for thousands of cases. |
| Sept 13, 2027 | Ford v. Pfizer wrongful death trial | A key test case likely to impact Pfizer’s risk calculus for global settlements. |
| Late 2027 – 2028 | Potential global settlement window | If bellwether verdicts favor plaintiffs, Pfizer may move toward a broad settlement program rather than risk multiple jury trials. |
Consolidation Momentum (Apr 11 – 16, 2025)
In mid-April, consolidation talks accelerated. On April 11, Judge Trina L. Thompson accepted a second federal Oxbryta complaint involving four plaintiffs, joining it with Allen v. Pfizer to streamline discovery and rulings. Days later, two new California state suits expanded the roster of defendants to multiple Sutter-affiliated hospitals, alleging defective design and failure to warn.
With eight active cases—two federal and six in state court—plaintiffs’ attorneys are preparing a petition to the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), proposing Judge Thompson’s Northern District of California courtroom as the MDL venue. A hearing is expected in the second half of 2025.
Bellwether Trial Set for June 7, 2027 (Mar 1, 2025)
On March 1, 2025, the Northern District of California set June 7, 2027 as the opening bellwether trial date in Allen v. Pfizer. The 12–15 day trial will mark the first jury test of Oxbryta claims. Fact discovery runs through late 2026, with expert reports and Daubert motions due in early 2027.
Both sides now treat the date as a hard target: plaintiffs seek to prove Pfizer concealed internal data linking Oxbryta to increased VOCs, while the defense aims to undercut causation theories.
New Study Adds Fuel to Both Sides (Feb 3, 2025)
A small February 2025 ASH study of 60 former Oxbryta users found over half discontinued treatment within a year due to renewed vaso-occlusive pain. Those who continued saw no clear improvement in crisis frequency.
Defense lawyers cite the limited sample size and missing data to downplay the results, while plaintiffs highlight the 53% dropout rate as evidence of poor tolerability. A later American Journal of Hematology editorial underscored that Oxbryta’s recall illustrates the risks of relying on surrogate endpoints without confirming long-term outcomes.
Statute-of-Limitations Disputes (Jan 8, 2025)
At a January case-management conference, Pfizer moved to dismiss parts of early complaints, arguing California’s two-year statute of limitations bars claims predating the September 2024 recall. Plaintiffs countered with allegations of fraudulent concealment, citing internal 2022 emails that warned of elevated stroke rates.
Judge Thompson ordered separate briefing on the tolling issue, a decision that could determine whether hundreds of pre-recall claims proceed.
Wave of New Claims (Nov – Dec 2024)
Following the European Medicines Agency’s November 19, 2024 vote to revoke Oxbryta’s license, new product-liability suits were filed in California and Illinois. A December wrongful-death complaint cited internal 2023 analyses showing higher stroke rates among Oxbryta users. By year’s end, commentators agreed the recall had become “inevitable,” driven by clinical-trial dropout rates and weak efficacy data.
Filing the First Cases (Nov 1 – 9, 2024)
The first lawsuits appeared within weeks of the recall. On November 1, 2024, families in Illinois and California filed state-court actions alleging defective design and negligent marketing. A federal complaint on November 9 described a patient who began Oxbryta in August and soon suffered multiple crises and a stroke, accusing Pfizer of concealing known risks.
Europe Suspends the License (Sept 26, 2024)
A day after the FDA alert, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) suspended Oxbryta’s authorization across the EU, citing pediatric deaths and post-marketing safety data. Effective immediately, physicians were instructed to transition all patients to alternative therapies.
Global Recall Announced (Sept 25-26, 2024)
On September 25, 2024, Pfizer issued a voluntary worldwide recall after data revealed higher VOC rates and mortality among users. The next day, the FDA released a formal safety alert, advising doctors to stop prescribing the drug. All clinical trials and expanded-access programs were halted, and pharmacies were ordered to pull remaining stock.
Early Safety Warnings (Summer 2024)
Registry studies in mid-2024 showed increased vaso-occlusive crises among Oxbryta users, while the HOPE-Kids 2 trial recorded eight deaths in the treatment group versus two on placebo—findings that directly undermined the drug’s purpose.
Initial Concerns Emerge (2023 – Early 2024)
In 2023, the U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) declined to fund Oxbryta due to “weak clinical benefit.” A 2024 revision reaffirmed that stance, foreshadowing regulatory challenges ahead and growing skepticism about Oxbryta’s safety and value.
Frequently Asked Questions About Oxbryta Lawsuits
Is there an Oxbryta class action?
Most Oxbryta cases are filed as individual lawsuits, though they may be consolidated in the future into a MDL. This allows each plaintiff to pursue compensation based on their unique injuries.
How long do I have to file an Oxbryta lawsuit in Alabama?
Alabama law generally allows two years from the date of injury or death, but exceptions may apply. Contact an attorney quickly to protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire an Oxbryta lawyer?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we win your case.
What if I already stopped taking Oxbryta?
You may still qualify for a lawsuit if you suffered injuries after taking the drug. The key factor is whether Oxbryta contributed to your complications.
Contact an Oxbryta Lawyer Near Birmingham, Alabama Today
Don’t wait to explore your legal options. If you or a loved one suffered serious complications after taking Oxbryta, contact Fob James Law Firm today for a free, confidential consultation.
Our experienced Oxbryta injury lawyers in Birmingham, Alabama are ready to evaluate your case, answer your questions, and fight for your rights.
Call us at 205-407-6009 or fill out our online form to get started.
We serve clients throughout Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Mobile, and across the state of Alabama.