Birth control pills were first introduced to the American public in 1960. Since then, they have become a staple in many women’s medicine chests. Unfortunately, some forms of oral contraceptives–most notably YAZ, Yasmin, and Ocella–have been linked to a variety of serious health conditions, which led to them being recalled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009.
Despite the recall, the drug has not been pulled from shelves, and it continues to cause problems for some women. I’ll tell you more about the concerning cases below, and also discuss how to know whether you have grounds for legal action. If you do, our product liability attorneys in Northern New Jersey have significant experience with these types of cases and may be able to help.
Which Birth Control Pills are of Concern?
The 2009 FDA recall was specifically for birth control pills containing drospirenone (DRSP). YAZ, Yasmin, Beyaz, and Safyrai are all manufactured by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc, and Ocella is a generic version of Yasmin. All of these pills contain both drospirenone, a progestin, and ethinyl estradiol. They have been associated with the following serious side effects:
- Blood clots
- High blood pressure
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Cerebrovascular accidents
- Myocardial infarction
- Gallbladder disease
- Death
Bayer claims that these side effects happen only occasionally, but studies show that the dangerous side effects are more common than the company admits. In fact, thousands of women have sued the company after experiencing deleterious health impacts. Many of these lawsuits argue that the company knew about the health risks of using these pills and failed to properly warn consumers.
If a product is recalled, it is not an uncommon practice to file a lawsuit. To find out whether you have a case, get in touch with the product liability lawyers serving Northern New Jersey at Buttafuoco & Associates at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
Research Snapshot
Most medications have side effects, but those related to drospirenone can be frightening and even deadly. Studies have shown that women who take the medicine are two to three times more likely to develop blood clots than those who do not. Some blood clots are harmless, but a related condition, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) where a blood clot develops deep in a vein, can cause pulmonary embolism and stroke. A pulmonary embolism can result in severe health issues such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, and heart attacks. A severe stroke can result in the loss of brain function, paralysis, and death.
The Food and Drug Administration has also issued a variety of warnings about side effects of Yaz in particular over the years. They have also ordered Bayer to include warning labels urging caution in patients who have a history of blood clots, migraines, high blood pressure, circulation problems, and heart disease.
Yaz Lawsuits
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Bayer since these forms of birth control became available; so many, in fact, that they have been consolidated into a multi-district litigation, where plaintiffs file individual lawsuits against the manufacturer and they are heard at once in a single court.
By 2023, Bayer had paid nearly $9 million to settle these lawsuits, and pending cases still remain. Other lawsuits have accused the company of overpromising in terms of the pill’s benefits, and in some of the worst cases, wrongful death suits have been brought by the loved ones of women who died after using the product.
If you have been harmed by any medication, you have every right to file a lawsuit and hold the company accountable for its harmful actions.
Do You Have a Yaz Lawsuit?
If you have been harmed after using a birth control pill containing ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, you may in fact have a lawsuit, and could be eligible for a variety of damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Projected future medical expenses
- Lost wages (past, present, and future)
- Pain and suffering
- And more
If you have experienced serious health problems after using a birth control pill similar to those described above, it may be in your best interest to contact a Northern New Jersey product liability attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates. We frequently fight for our clients’ rights against big corporations in cases like these, and will fight for you too.
Get in touch today for a free consultation at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
