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Bayer to Pay $24M to Settle Yaz Gallbladder Lawsuits
By Anne Bucher
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Thousands of women have filed lawsuits against Bayer, the maker of the oral contraceptives, claiming the company failed to adequately warn women about the health risks posed by their product. Plaintiffs in these Yasmin lawsuits say they would not have taken the birth control pills had they known about the potential health risks.
Bayer Agrees to Settle Yaz Blood Clot and Gallbladder Lawsuits
On March 15, 2013, Bayer agreed to pay $24 million to settle lawsuits involving plaintiffs who alleged Yaz and Yasmin caused them to develop gallbladder disease. Bayer will pay plaintiffs a maximum of $3,000, although this amount could be reduced if there are more than 8,000 Yasmin and Yaz gallbladder lawsuits filed. The full $3,000 Yasmin/Yaz settlement will go to plaintiffs who had their gallbladders removed. Plaintiffs that suffered other gallbladder injuries may receive up to $2,000. In their agreement, Bayer retained the right to abandon the proposed settlement if less than 90 percent of the eligible plaintiffs choose to participate.
Despite agreeing to settle the claims, Bayer admits no wrongdoing. A Bayer spokeswoman said the company agreed to the settlement to avoid lengthy and expensive litigation and that the settlement amount was likely to be far less than the costs of defending the company against the lawsuits.
It is a common business practice for companies to agree to settle cases, even if they never admit any wrongdoing. As opposed to lawsuits which create a public record, a settlement agreement can provide the company with privacy. The trial process is often expensive and uncertain, as the outcome is decided by a judge and jury. In personal injury cases that involve numerous plaintiffs who have suffered serious injuries from using a product, many companies do not want to take the risk of having the jury come up with a massive award for the plaintiffs. Â
Because there are already thousands of plaintiffs alleging serious Yasmin and Yaz injuries, Bayer has effectively limited their liability in the issue and prevented these issues from being raised again in the future. Settling these lawsuits out of court also ensures that Bayer does not have to admit any wrongdoing that could further harm their brand.
Learn More about the Yaz Gallbladder Injury Settlement
If you or someone you love has suffered from blood clots or gallbladder problems after using Yasmin, Yaz, Ocella or Beyaz, contact a Yaz lawyer immediately. You may be able to recover financially for your injuries. Visit the Yaz/Yasmin, Beyaz & Ocella Birth Control Pill Class Action Lawsuit Settlement & Investigation page and submit information about your injuries. A Yaz lawyer will evaluate your situation, free of charge, and determine if you qualify for compensation from Bayer.
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Updated April 1st, 2013
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All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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