Two oral contraceptives that have recently been in the news are the contraceptives Yaz and Yasmin. Just last year, after numerous lawsuits, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the company to place a stronger warning label on these products warning users of the increased risk of blood clots.
Bayer AG, the manufacturer of Yaz and Yasmin, has also been hit with a rash of lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who claim the use of these contraceptives have resulted in gall bladder injuries. These lawsuits claim Bayer knew of the health risks both Yaz and Yasmin posed, but failed to warn users.
In March, Bayer agreed to settle these lawsuits by agreeing to pay up to $24 million to those claiming gallbladder injuries from using Yaz or Yasmin. Bayer will pay $2,000 to those plaintiffs who suffered gall bladder injuries and $3,000 to those users who underwent surgery to remove their gall bladders.
After agreeing to the settlement, Bayer issued a statement saying the company does not believe that Yaz and Yasmin increase the risk of gall bladder injury when compared to other oral contraceptives. However, in an emailed statement, a company spokesperson wrote that Bayer agreed to the settlement, which does not admit liability, “in order to avoid protracted and expensive litigation and to resolve the vast majority of pending gall bladder claims.”
If you have suffered injury due to the manufacturer’s improper warnings of a prescription drug, contact an experienced drug injury lawyer to discuss your medical and legal concerns.