Numerous injuries have been cited in the latest string of Yaz lawsuits that have been filed in California. Such injuries include strokes and deep vein thrombosis, which is caused by the now infamous Yaz blood clots. This new lawsuit includes three plaintiffs, all of whom have suffered from side effects that previous research has repeatedly tied to Yaz use.
This recent group of plaintiffs is alleging that Bayer, the makers of Yaz and Yasmin, failed to properly warn consumers that these risks were associated with use of the fourth-generation birth control pills. The lawsuit was filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles County on October 9, 2012, by Sandra Rinehardt, Jacquitta Ward and Dewanna Williams. All of the women used either Yaz, Yasmin or the generic version of the pills, called Ocella. Of the women, Rinehardt and Williams developed deep vein thrombosis and Ward suffered a stroke after taking Yaz. These side effects are common among Yaz users, which is why so many former Yaz users have filed lawsuits seeking compensation.
Specifically, the claims made against Bayer include the defendant’s negligence and wrongful conduct, which caused physical and emotional pain. These claims are similar to the thousands of other claims filed against Bayer. For its part, Bayer won’t completely admit to the dangers of Yaz; however, the company has agreed to settle nearly 1,500 lawsuits to the tune of more than $400 million. And the company is expected to reach even more settlement agreements in the near future.
The Yaz dangers have many experts wondering why the pills are still on the market instead of being recalled, but an FDA panel decided to keep them on the market and institute a stricter warning on the drugs’ labels that include telling patients that the drug is likely to cause blood clots and other serious side effects, including heart attacks, gallbladder disease and strokes.
