Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Files Suit Against Bayer Corporation on Behalf of Victims of the Yaz Birth Control Pill

The Yaz lawsuits were filed on behalf of Judith M. Woodall and Tasha Marcell. The complaints allege that both women sustained severe and permanent personal injuries, pain, suffering, and emotional distress as a result of their use of Yaz. More specifically, according to her lawsuit, Ms. Woodall, a resident of Tennessee, first began using Yaz in approximately November 2008. That same month, she suffered a saddle pulmonary embolus and deep vein thrombosis. Ms. Marcell, a resident of Georgia, began taking Yaz in October 2007. She also suffered a pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis shortly after she began using the medication.

The lawsuits further allege that Bayer Corporation and other defendants negligently and fraudulently represented that Yaz had been tested and found to be safe and effective and that the defendants concealed their knowledge of its defects. The lawsuits name Bayer Corporation, its subsidiaries, Berlex Laboratories, Inc. and Berlex, Inc. as defendants.

The complaints maintain that Yaz and Yasmin are both made with a type of progestin called drospirenone, making them different from many other oral contraceptives. Drospirenone can elevate the body's potassium levels, which can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia in certain patients. Hyperkalemia may result in potentially serious heart and health problems. Adverse Events reported to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) involving Yaz and Yasmin include heart arrhythmias, electrolyte imbalance, hyponatremis, hyperkalemia, hyperkalemic arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, blood clots, embolisms, and sudden death.

Yaz is the top-selling oral contraceptive in the U.S. Last year, Yaz and Yasmin generated about $1.8 billion for Bayer. These sales were achieved through a marketing campaign that presented the medications as more than mere birth control pills, and touted them as treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, premenstrual syndrome and moderate acne. Bayer Corporation and the other defendants named in the complaints have been warned at least three times by the FDA over misleading television advertisements which overstate the efficiency of Yaz or Yasmin and minimize serious risks associated with the drugs.

"Yaz and Yasmin were marketed in a way that concealed important safety information from women like Judith Woodall and Tasha Marcell," said Melanie Muhlstock, an attorney with Parker Waichman Alonso LLP. "As a result Ms. Woodall and Ms. Marcell were unable to make an informed decision about their choice of birth control and left unaware that they were being exposed to unique risks not seen with other oral contraceptives."

More than 100 lawsuits have been filed across the country on behalf of victims of Yaz and Yasmin side effects. State and federal lawsuits involving Yaz and Yasmin were recently consolidated and transferred to the Southern District of Illinois for centralized and coordinated pre-trial proceedings.

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP expects to file many more lawsuits on behalf of Yaz and Yasmin victims in the coming months.

If you or a loved one suffered a heart attack, blood clot or stroke while taking one of these medications, please contact our office by visiting www.yourlawyer.com. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636).

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective drugs, medical devices and other products.

For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, please visit: www.yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

SOURCE: Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP 
Melanie H. Muhlstock 
800-LAW-INFO 
800-529-4636 
www.yourlawyer.net/yasmine 
www.yourlawyer.net/yaz