Yaz Bellwether Trials on Hold for Mediation

The preliminary bellwether trials for Yaz side effects were scheduled to begin on January 9, 2012, but they have been put on hold as thousands of Yaz side effects lawsuits have been ordered into mediation by Chief Judge David R. Herndon, who is presiding over the Yaz multidistrict litigation case. The order came down on the 31st of December, 2011, and now instead of each lawsuit going to trial they will now pursue settlements through mediation. 

The move was echoed the consolidated Pennsylvania state court side effects lawsuits, as Judge Sandra Mazer Moss ordered the parties into mediation on the 6th of January, 2012. Yaz side effects lawsuits, which deal with such serious conditions as Yaz pulmonary embolism, Yaz blood clot, and Yaz stroke, will be put on hold as the possibility of a global settlement is explored involving thousands of plaintiffs and the defendant, Bayer pharmaceuticals. 

FDA Panel Acknowledges Yaz Problems, Stops Short of Recall

The FDA evaluated the risk of Yaz blood clots from the birth control, which some studies have shown to be 2 to 3 times greater than the risk associated with other birth control pills, leading to an ever-growing number of Yaz Lawsuits. In December of last year they held a nine-hour meeting to evaluate the drug’s warning label, eventually deciding, in a 21-5 vote, that Bayer, the drug’s manufacturer, must revise the labe to more clearly explain that the birth control pill comes with an increased risk of Yaz Blood clots. The safety review was initiated based on two published studies that reported there is a greater risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among women taking Yaz, Yasmin or other drospirenone birth control pills.

Now, the FDA is facing strong calls that it hold a new meeting to evaluate the safety of Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills, after issues involving a possible conflict of interest have been raised regarding some of its advisory committee members. It has now been discovered that at least four of the committee members had ties to Bayer prior to the committee hearing, but all four say that those ties had no effect on their final vote. Despite the potential increased risk of Yaz and Yasmin blood clots, Bayer has heavily marketed these drugs, particularly to younger women. The drugs currently account for approximately 30% of the birth control pill market, and many women could reduce the risk of blood clots by taking alternatives to Yaz and Yasmin for birth control.

A DVT or deep vein thrombosis is a type of blood clot that usually occurs in the legs or deep veins of the pelvis. While it is possible to have a DVT with minimal symptoms, they usually cause extreme pain and swelling in the affected limb. If the deep vein thrombosis dislodges, it could travel to other parts of the body and cause a pulmonary embolism, heart attack or stroke. Yasmin and Yaz DVT is considered a medical emergency which requires immediate medical treatment. Thousands of women who have suffered from Yaz pulmonary embolisms have found a Yaz lawyer to help them fight for their legal rights.

Mediation Over Trial in Yaz MDL

The mulditistrict litigation case involving Yaz birth control has been consolidated in the Southern District of Illinois and is being presided over by Judge David R. Herndon. Now, this judge has decided to go forward with mediation as opposed to a trial for the first Yaz case out of the many that are involved in the litigation. Thousands of cases are involved in the multi district litigation, filed by women who have experienced side effects associated with Yaz and Yasmin birth control medication. 

According to some reports, Yaz is the fourth most popular birth control pill in the United States, although it is one of those with the most Yaz side effects. Thousands of plaintiffs have become involved in litigation against Bayer Pharmaceuticals, holding them accountable for Yaz and Yasmin side effects. Yaz blood clots, stroke, heart attack, Yaz deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism have all been cited in Yaz birth control lawsuits.

New Yaz Lawsuit in MDL

Yaz became the top selling birth control pill in the United States, with $1.58 billion in sales in 2010 alone. Bayer issued a statement saying that while it continues to defend the litigation, the company is engaged in mediation and settlement discussion. Laura Tenorio’s Yaz Lawsuit has been removed from the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, to the current multidistrict litigation (MDL) taking place in where bellwether trials have been postponed in favor of mediation. The first Yaz trial was expected to begin on January 9, involving a plaintiff who suffered a pulmonary embolism after taking the birth control pill. In an order issued December 31, Judge Herndon indefinitely continued the start of that case and ordered the parties to engage in Yaz settlement negotiations.

Over 10,000 women have filed a lawsuit against Bayer alleging that they suffered injuries as a result of the drug maker’s failure to adequately warn about the side effects of Yaz, Yasmin and other drosperinone-based birth control pills made by Bayer. The FDA recently released a report that suggested drospirenone-based birth control pills may increase the risk of blood clots by 75% over older birth control pills. They also doubled the risk of heart attacks and strokes in users who were new to birth control, with some health problems appearing in less than three months after women started to take the pills. Individuals who have pre-existing kidney, liver and adrenal disease could be particularly susceptible to Yaz side effects.

Blood clots are potentially life-threatening conditions. They can break free and travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the heart and cause heart attacks, in the brain and trigger a stroke, or in the lungs which can cause apulmonary embolism. Thousands of women allege that Bayer did not adequately warn them that taking Yaz or Yasmin could be deadly. All federal Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits have been consolidated as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation, which is centralized before Judge Herndon in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Yasmin Lawsuit Joins California Master Complaint

On December 23, 2011, Marc Hersh filed a Yasmin lawsuit alleging massive cerebral infarct and death resulting from Yaz birth control pills. With the help of a Yasmin lawyer, Hersh filed on behalf of himself, his minor son, Shane Hersh, and his decedent wife, Dayna Hersh. The case will be heard in California Superior Court in the County of Los Angeles.

Yasmin Lawsuit Joins Coordinated Litigation in California

California Superior Court is the headquarters for consolidated litigation in a statewide proceeding against Bayer. Judge Elihu M. Berle will oversee the group litigation, or master complaint, which alleges Yaz side effects including blood clots, which may lead to serious health risks including Yaz pulmonary embolism or stroke, as suffered by Dayna Hersh. In addition to Yaz blood clots and related side effects, the master complaint also accuses Bayer, the manufacturer of Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives, of failing to properly warn the public regarding risks from the medications.

Yasmin Lawyer Alleges Yaz Stroke

The Hersh lawsuit alleges that Dayna Hersh died from a massive cerebral infarct, or brain stroke, on January 26, 2011. Hersh is survived by her husband and son, both named as co-plaintiffs. Their lawsuit alleges that Dayna Hersh's stroke was the result of blood clots developed after taking Yasmin birth control pills. Both Yaz and Yasmin, which contain drospirenone, have been linked to blood clots that can form in a patient's eyes, legs, brain or lungs. Yaz stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks sufficient oxygen and nutrients from entering the brain. As a result of Yaz stroke, the Hersh lawsuit seeks damages from Bayer for counts of deceit by concealment, loss of consortium, negligence and wrongful death.

Yaz Blood Clots Lead to California Lawsuit

Alleging Yaz blood clots, on November 17, 2011, Allison Zelinski and her Yasmin lawyer filed suit in California's Superior Court (Los Angeles). Blood clots are one of several Yaz side effects, which include serious conditions such as Yaz deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and Yaz gallbladder disease. The plaintiff adopted the master complaint in continuing coordinated litigation against Bayer, the manufacturer of Yaz, as well as Berlix Laboratories and other defendants involved in the process of creating and distributing Yaz birth control pills.

Yasmin Lawyer Files as Coordinated Litigation

Zelinski's case joins several Yaz lawsuits against Bayer in coordinated litigation headquartered in California. The California cases are just part of the offensive; multidistrict litigation against the pharmaceutical company is currently underway in Illinois. The growing number of cases – and victims of Yaz side effects – is an indicator of the prevalence and growing impact of Yaz side effects around the country.

Zelinski Alleges Yaz Blood Clots

Through her Yasmin Lawyer, Zelinski seeks damages for injuries suffered after taking Yaz. The plaintiff alleges that she developed Yaz blood clots – an oft-cited complaint in Yaz lawsuits. Yaz is known to cause blood clots because it contains drospirenone, a synthetic hormone that mimics the body's natural progesterone.

Yaz Side Effects Varied, Dangerous

Blood clots can lead to other serious Yaz side effects, including Yaz deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism, and stroke. DVT is characterized by blood clots located in the deep veins, generally in the thighs and lower legs. Yaz pulmonary embolism and stroke begin with blood clots or DVT. When blood clots dislodge, they can travel through the circulatory system to other parts of the body. If a blood clot reaches the lungs and obstructs a pulmonary artery, it can cause pulmonary embolism. Likewise, if a blood clot reaches the brain, stroke can occur. If not treated immediately, these conditions can be fatal.

Other side effects related to Yaz and Yasmin oral contraceptives include swelling, infections, pain, and skin ulcers. As of early 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently researching the relationship between alleged Yaz side effects and drospirenone. Conclusions are expected later this year.

Yasmin Lawyers Await Results of FDA Study

A recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review, which studied 800,000 people, delves into the side effects of Yaz and Yasmin birth control pills. If the FDA finds that the products' side effects are worse than those of other oral contraceptives, pending and future Yaz lawsuits will be affected.

Newer oral contraceptives (birth control pills) use a progestin called drospirenone, which replaces levonorgestrel, the progestin most commonly found in older brands. While all birth control pills raise a patient's risk of developing yaz blood clots, the issue is whether women taking Yaz or Yasmin may run an even higher risk.

Two recent studies showed that women who took birth control pills containing drospirenone did have a higher risk of blood clots. Two additional studies published in 2009 came to a similar conclusion, stating that women who used products containing drospirenone had a higher risk of blood clots than women who took products with levonorgestrel. However, two additional post-marketing studies – required by both the FDA and European regulatory agencies – reviewed the risks and side effects of drospirenone and did not find an increased possibility of blood clots among those patients who took drugs containing drospirenone.

In May 2011 the FDA announced that it would continue review of drospirenone products, and would analyze all data from their large, self-funded study on oral contraceptives and blood clots. Although the administration's drug-safety communication originally estimated that results would be available in late summer 2011, the FDA has not released any additional information or conclusions as of September 2011.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Yaz and Yasmin have been preparing for battle. Almost 7,000 lawsuits have been filed as of September 2011, these for side effects ranging from gallbladder disease to blood clots. Pennsylvania will see the first Yaz lawsuit to go to court in federal multidistrict litigation, as well as centralized litigation. The Pennsylvania case was filed due to a yaz pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs that is a potentially deadly and very serious disease – and one of the most common side effects of oral contraceptives that contain drospirenone.

If the FDA study finds that blood clots are more common in products containing drospirenone, these 7,000 lawsuits will have additional evidence in their favor. In that case, Bayer, the company that owns the Yaz and Yazmin products, may consider settling out-of-court.