Yaz, Yasmin Lawsuit Settlements Continue

After allegations of serious blood clotting complications and deaths as a result of Yaz and Yasmin use, Bayer is progressing smoothly in the long process of compensating victims through settlements. According to the Madison Record, Chief U.S. District Judge David Herndon has stated that about 1,500 of the 9,000-plus Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits filed in federal court in East St. Louis have been settled. Stephen Saltzburg, special master in the multi-district litigation (MDL), is mediating and said that Bayer has paid out an excess of $300 million thus far. In April, Bloomberg reported that 651 cases had been settled out of a total of around 12,000 nationwide suits against the company. The average claim fetches about $214,000, but some get significantly more and others substantially less depending on severity.

At least 50 deaths were attributed to use of the contraceptives from 2004 to 2008.

As of now, Bayer is only settling venous clot injuries, including claims for pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Studies have linked birth control pills containing the active ingredient drospirenone to blood clots and other serious problems. It has been alleged that the popular contraceptive was marketed for unapproved uses (such as acne relief and mood improvement) and that women were misled from the considerable risks posed by the drug (Bayer marketed their drugs as safer than rivals’ products). In April of this year, the FDA ordered Bayer and other manufacturers of oral contraceptives to include stronger blood clot warnings on the labeling of their drugs.

Manufactured by the German company Bayer HealthCare, Yasmin was approved in 2001 and Yaz was approved by the FDA in 2006. In 2010, the lucrative drugs made almost $1.6 billion for Bayer and as of September 2011, Yasmin was the fourth most used oral contraceptive in the United States. The two contraceptives are very similar, but Yaz packets contain a few more pills containing drospirenone than Yasmin. At least 50 deaths were attributed to use of the contraceptives from 2004 to 2008.

Blood clots can pose severe risks to patients, possibly requiring hospitalization, rehabilitation and long-term treatment, lifelong injuries, and even death. If you have experienced any negative complications after taking either of these contraceptives, you may be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. If you act quickly, you may be entitled to be a part of the ongoing Yaz and Yasmin settlements. Do not hesitate to contact a skilled attorney by filling out the free, no-obligation case review form on the right.