Yaz Stroke Victim Adds Legal Complaint to Illinois MDL
Another lawsuit involving serious Yaz side effects has been added to the growing multidistrict litigation in Illinois. In this recent complaint, the plaintiff alleges she suffered blood clots that led to a Yaz stroke after using the oral contraceptive. The Yaz lawsuit joins thousands of others in the Illinois MDL, where plaintiffs have reported blood clots, pulmonary embolisms and strokes after taking the drug.
Yaz side effects result of unique formulation
In this Yaz lawsuit, which was filed in District Court in the Southern District of Illinois on May 30, 2012, the plaintiff, Cama Frisbie, alleges she suffered serious Yaz side effects after taking this prescription oral contraceptive from March, 2008, to September, 2008. The plaintiff developed blood clots related to the drug, which resulted in a Yaz stroke on September 18, 2008. The plaintiff claims in her complaint that the unique formulation of Yaz led to her medical problems and subsequent physical and emotional suffering.
Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella are unique oral contraceptives because they contain a combination of estrogen and a fourth-generation progestin known as drospirenone. This substance acts like a diuretic, increasing potassium levels in the blood that can lead to the formation of blood clots. Blood clots can form anywhere in the body, and then break away and travel to vital organs like the lungs, where they may cause a pulmonary embolism. They might also travel to the heart, causing a heart attack, or the brain, where they can result in a stroke. In this Yaz lawsuit, Frisbie claims that her Yaz side effects culminated in a stroke and side effects she is still dealing with today.
Yaz lawsuit includes brand name and generic versions of drug
In this particular Yaz lawsuit, the plaintiff is holding Bayer, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Barr Laboratories liable for her Yaz side effects. Bayer currently manufactures the brand names of the oral contraceptive, Yaz and Yasmin. The company originally manufactured the generic form of the drug as well, dubbing it Ocella. However, Ocella is packaged and marketed by Barr Laboratories, which has now been acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Because Frisbie ingested both Yasmin and Ocella prior to her injuries, she has listed all responsible parties as defendants.
Last year, a Supreme Court ruling presented significant challenges to those pursuing a Yaz lawsuit against a generic drug manufacturer, by stating generic drug companies must follow the same package labeling as their brand name counterparts. This meant generic companies could not be held responsible for updating product warnings, leaving those taking generic drugs without legal rights should they become injured on those drugs. While new legislation is currently in Congress to change that ruling, it remains to be seen whether changes will take place quickly enough for plaintiffs like Frisbie.
As a result of her Yaz side effects, Yaz stroke and subsequent medical complications, Frisbie is seeking compensatory and non-economic damages in excess of $75,000. She is also asking for medical expenses and other economic damages of an unspecified amount.
