Bayer, the U.S.’s leading manufacturer of birth control pills, sold Yaz and Yasmin to millions of women, some of whom have experienced heart attacks, blood clots and strokes. These women have filed individual lawsuits around the nation, claiming that the pills caused such harm.
While blood clots are a known side-effect of oral contraceptives, the severity of blood clots appears to be uniquely serious to those women taking Yaz and Yasmin.
A young Swiss women, who took Yaz for only 10 months, died of a pulmonary embolism. Another young women, only 16 years-old, is disabled from a lung embolism. Swiss health regulators are investigating the drug and individual cases.
In the United States, an injured party may sue for product liability under a few theories: 1) defective design (insufficient Research & Development), 2) defective manufacturing (insufficient Quality Control), or 3) inadequate warning. In the case of the 74 lawsuits, all three claims plus Consumer Protection Act claims may be alleged. While blood clots area known risk of taking an oral contraceptive – severe blood clots leading to death – is not.
Ms. Filutowski has a track record of recovering over $3.5 million dollars for her clients through negotiations, arbitrations, mediations and trial.
