Liver Failure

Liver failure happens when the liver loses so much function that it can no longer do its jobs, such as clearing toxins, making proteins that help blood clot, and processing nutrients. Chronic liver failure develops slowly, usually after years of damage and scarring (cirrhosis) from hepatitis, alcohol, or fatty liver disease. Acute liver failure is different: severe injury happens suddenly in a person who had no known liver disease, and it is a medical emergency that can require a transplant.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says the leading causes of acute liver failure in the United States include drug damage, in particular overdose of acetaminophen, the pain reliever in many over-the-counter and prescription products. Viral and autoimmune hepatitis are other causes, and in about 10 percent of cases no cause is found. Symptoms can include jaundice, confusion, bleeding easily, and swelling in the belly.

Liver failure is one of the most serious injuries claimed in drug and supplement lawsuits. Cases have alleged that products caused liver injury without adequate warnings, that supplements contained undisclosed drugs or unsafe ingredients, or that combination products made it too easy to take more acetaminophen than intended. Because liver damage has many possible causes, these claims usually depend on a doctor's finding that the product, and not alcohol or a virus, caused the injury, often based on timing and on ruling out other explanations.

If you or a family member suffered liver failure after taking a medicine or supplement, save the product, receipts, and hospital records. See supplement mislabeling lawsuits, the liver toxicity entry, and our explainer on class actions versus mass torts.