Thousands of women have filed lawsuits against Bayer, the manufacturer of the birth control drugs Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella alleging serious injuries involving blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Settlement talks began earlier this year between Bayer and many law firms who are representing the victims.
A status conference held recently by Chief Judge David R. Herndon in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, where these lawsuits are consolidated, reported that so far over 1,444 cases have reached settlement with Bayer. It was also noted during the conference that settlement negotiations are progressing for the remainder of the cases that are filed.
Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella are newer forms of birth control pills which use a synthetic hormone drospirenone, unlike other forms of oral contraceptives that have been on the market longer. Women taking Yaz, Yasmin, and Ocella began reporting serious blood-clot related side effects such as pulmonary embolisms, deep vein thrombosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Some fatalities also occurred.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed clinical studies which demonstrated an increased risk for blood clot development in women taking drospirenone-containing birth control. One study indicated that women taking Yasmin had a 75% higher chance of suffering from a blood clot than women taking older forms of oral contraceptives that did not contain the synthetic hormone drospirenone. The FDA issued multiple alerts to physicians as well as patients regarding the increased health risk associated with these newer brands of oral contraceptives.
If you or someone you care about has taken Yaz, Yasmin, or Ocella and suffered a serious injury as a result, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. Contact our office to talk with one of our product liability attorneys to discuss your legal rights and options.