Firm Expects to File Many More Lawsuits on Behalf of Individuals Injured by Yaz and Yasmin Oral Contraceptives in the Coming Months
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP filed suit on behalf of a woman who suffered bilateral pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis after taking the Yaz birth control pill. Yaz, as well as its precursor, Yasmin, have been associated with life-threatening adverse events in some women, including heart attacks, blood clots and strokes. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (Docket No. 1:09-cv-03961).
Anna Butler, a resident of Kansas, first began using Yaz in approximately April 2006 and continued using it through August of 2007 at which time she sustained bilateral pulmonary emboli and deep vein thrombosis resulting in severe and permanent personal injuries, pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Ms. Butler alleges that Bayer Corporation and other named defendants negligently and fraudulently represented that Yaz had been tested and was found to be safe and effective and otherwise concealed their knowledge of its defects. The lawsuit names Bayer Corporation, its subsidiaries, Berlex Laboratories, Inc., and Berlex, Inc. as defendants.
Yaz is the top-selling oral contraceptive in the United States. Last year, Yaz and Yasmin generated approximately $1.8 billion for Bayer. These sales were achieved through a marketing campaign that presented the medications as more than mere birth control pills and touted them as treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, premenstrual syndrome and moderate acne. Bayer Corporation and the other defendants named in the complaint have been warned at least three times by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regarding their misleading television advertisements, which overstate the efficiency of Yaz or Yasmin and minimize the serious risks associated with the drugs.
Yaz and Yasmin are both made with a type of progestin called drospirenone, making them different from many other oral contraceptives. Drospirenone can elevate the body's potassium levels, which can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia in certain patients. Hyperkalemia may result in potentially serious heart and health problems. Adverse Events reported to the FDA involving Yaz and Yasmin include heart arrhythmias, electrolyte imbalance, hyponatremis, hyperkalemia, hyperkalemic arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, blood clots, embolisms, and sudden death.
On September 26, 2009, the New York Times reported that there are increasing concerns over the safety of Yaz and Yasmin. The article pointed out that two separate Dutch and Danish studies published last month in The British Medical Journal found a higher risk of venous blood clots for women taking newer progestins, including drospirenone. The FDA is currently reviewing the safety of birth control pills with a study designed to identify the incidence of blood clots, stroke and death among users of Yasmin and other oral contraceptives. The Times also reported that Bayer is conducting a postmarketing study comparing the safety of Yaz with other birth control pills.
At least 74 lawsuits have been filed across the country on behalf of victims of Yaz and Yasmin side effects. On September 24, 2009, a hearing was held before the Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation regarding a filed petition that requests that all of the Yaz and Yasmin litigation be transferred to a single federal court for centralized and coordinated pre-trial proceedings. A decision on the petition is expected within a few weeks.
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP expects to file many more lawsuits on behalf of Yaz and Yasmin victims in the coming months.
If you or a loved one suffered a heart attack, blood clot or stroke while taking one of these medications, please contact our office by visiting www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective drugs, medical devices and other products.
For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, please visit: www.yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
Contacts:
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
David Krangle
(800) LAW-INFO
(800)
529-4636
www.yourlawyer.com
