It's a disastrous diagnosis – Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, possibly contracted from gadolinium dye exposure. It is fast becoming well-known that the symptoms of NSF can appear a short time after gadolinium dye exposure, and its effects can be life-changing at best, possibly life-threatening at worst. As soon as you have found competent medical care for your NSF, you should consider filing an NSF lawsuit with an experienced attorney. But what does NSF litigation entail? This article will answer some frequently asked questions about filing your NSF lawsuit.

What Does "Gadolinium Dye Exposure" Mean?

"Gadolinium dye exposure" means that you were exposed to the agent that may have caused your NSF - usually the element gadolinium in its radiological dye forms - in the usual course of medical treatment. If you were given gadolinium dye as a radiological indicator during an MRI, and then contracted NSF, even if it was years after the exposure, you experienced gadolinium dye exposure.

What Does an NSF Lawsuit entail?

Litigation is a long and often confusing process. When you contact a lawyer about a potential NSF claim, you will typically present your medical records and diagnosis for his assessment before he can tell you if you have a chance in court. If the lawyer determines that your case is sound and will probably recover some monetary compensation and damages, he will take on your case, usually with a retainer or fee agreement. The lawyer will then file a complaint and summons suing the appropriate parties for the exposure leading up to NSF.

The court will set a series of dates for discovery and trial and, if the case does not settle, both parties will begin to work towards building a case. Since NSF is a medical condition, an Independent Medical Examiner (IME) will probably be involved in your case. An IME conducts an unbiased medical investigation into your NSF and examines your medical records. The other side will probably request your medical records, as well, in order to determine if you had a pre-existing condition or other medical problems that may relieve them of responsibility for your NSF. Be prepared to sign waivers releasing this medical information to the requesting parties. Your attorney will advise you which documents to sign and which releases to give. During the discovery process, your attorney may also consult with medical and other experts, who perform a variety of services such as document review and reports, medical examinations and detailed expert testimony on issues related to asbestos exposure, NSF and employment.

Can I Expect an NSF Settlement in an NSF Lawsuit?

If your case goes to trial, expect your lawyer to consult with other experts such as trial preparation specialists, who conduct mock trials and coordinate convincing exhibits, multimedia experts who can help present the evidence at trial in the most convincing manner, and witnesses who can bolster your own testimony in your NSF trial. In an effort to avoid the cost and expense of a lengthy jury trial, many states require a mandatory settlement conference (MSC) or arbitration at which both parties sit down for a last-ditch attempt to resolve your complaints. This may or may not result in a monetary settlement. If a jury finds in your favor, you may be eligible for damages above and beyond just your medical treatment; pain and suffering, loss of employment, and other damages may apply.

Do Patients Win NSF Lawsuits?

It may seem like a daunting process, but patients do effectively fight and win against companies who have caused them to be exposed to gadolinium and its devastating health effects. This negligence, both willful and accidental, means that these companies bear some responsibility for the health damages of gadolinium exposure incurred during medical treatment. Patients can and do win NSF lawsuits, and many multi-million dollar payouts have been recorded for the victims of NSF and their families. If you have NSF, it is vital to contact an experienced and competent NSF lawyer in order to recover your rightful compensation.