Traditional oral contraceptives contain estrogen and/or progestin hormones that help stop women from ovulating. Although millions of American women have used oral birth control pills as a method of preventing pregnancy and have experienced little to no side effects, certain types of oral contraceptives, including Ortho Evra, Yaz, and Yasmin, have been linked to several severe complications, including deep vein thrombosis and blood clots. These complications can then increase a patient’s risk of suffering from a heart attack, stroke, or death.
Common Complications Include DVT, Blood Clots
Most oral contraceptives warn that users may experience headaches, bloating, nausea, breast tenderness, and irregular bleeding. However, according to recent lawsuits, Yasmin, NuvaRing, Ortho Evra, and Yaz also increase the risk of blood clots. Those at risk for deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots that form in the legs, include women who sit for extended periods of time or those who are undergoing surgical procedures.
Women File Lawsuits in the U.S.
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet recalled any of these oral contraceptives, it has acknowledged the increased risk of blood clots. Medical professionals claim that there are safer alternatives available for women that have not yet been shown to cause an increased risk of blood clots or deep vein thrombosis. If you or a woman you love is experiencing pain calves or chest, shortness of breath, or if you are coughing up blood, you may be eligible to file an Iowa birth control blood clot lawsuit.
According to reports, the FDA began to receive hundreds of adverse event reports from women who allegedly suffered from complications stemming from drospirenone-containing contraceptives. As a result, the agency made the decision to investigate the relationship between blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, and other health conditions with the use of these methods of birth control. The FDA concluded that, while the chance that a woman will develop a life-threatening blood clot is small, Yaz and other similar oral contraceptives may slightly increase this risk compared to other birth control methods.
Court documents indicate that settlement agreements have been reached in thousands of lawsuits pertaining to Yaz and Yasmin. Bayer Healthcare, the products’ manufacturer, has been named in two separate categories of claims: gallbladder disease and blood clot injuries. Bayer released its annual statement in February 2014 and reported that it would be paying $1.69 billion to settle 8,250 claims filed on behalf of women who allegedly suffered from a pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, heart attack, or stroke. Although settlements pertaining to blood clots have been reached, you may still be entitled to file an Iowa birth control blood clot lawsuit and recover damages for your injuries.
Bayer is still facing more than 4,600 lawsuits in which plaintiffs have allegedly suffered an arterial or venous thromboembolism injury. In each of the lawsuits, women claim that the manufacturer failed to adequately inform the medical and public communities about the link between its products and the possible side-effects. If you believe you are eligible to file an Iowa birth control blood clot lawsuit, consider seeking legal counsel today to learn more about your legal options.
Need More Information about Your Iowa Birth Control Blood Clot Lawsuit?
Have you or a loved one taken Yaz, Yasmin, or another oral contraceptive and suffered from adverse side effects as a result? If so, contact Attorney Group for Iowa today. We can answer your questions, address your concerns, and review your case in a free, no-obligation consultation to help you determine whether you have a claim. If you do, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney able to help you file an Iowa birth control blood clot lawsuit. Call today.
