Ga. Woman Sues Merck & Co. for NuvaRing Injuries

Nelson was initially prescribed with NuvaRing in 2004 and used it up until she suffered a DVT attack in 2007. There were no complications when she first started using NuvaRing, changing it every month as instructed. However, in 2007, Nelson suffered a stroke and was immediately hospitalized. While she pulled through the stroke, she had been informed by her doctors that it was due to the progestin and estrogen components of NuvaRing, which allowed blood clots to form.

At no point in time was the plaintiff or her physician was made aware of these possibilities, nor were there any indications or warnings on the product’s label. Additionally, the company made no effort to contact the plaintiff to notify her of this and other side effects. A responsibility, that most legal experts would say, that the company owed to their customers. Had Nelson known about this possibility, she would have never used the NuvaRing.

Nelson is suing Merck & Co for being directly responsible for manufacturing, selling, distributing, and marketing a dangerous product. The charges include: negligence, false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.

Overview of NuvaRing Complications

The NuvaRing was approved for market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001 and is the first and only contraceptive vaginal ring in the United States. It is long-term birth control product, which is designed to be changed once every month. The device works by releasing a hormone concoction of ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel, directly into the bloodstream through the vaginal walls. These hormones prevent the woman’s body from going into ovulation, and prevent the sperm from implanting itself onto any of the eggs. It is considered one of the most popular contraceptives in the United States, and one of the most efficient pregnancy preventers. There are millions of new prescribers to this device every year in the United States.

Despite its popularity, there have been injury reports submitted to the FDA, indicating deadly side effects that could be occurring from using the NuvaRing. Additionally, scientific studies have indicated similar results, which have caused the FDA to grow weary of the NuvaRing, and its side effects. In October 2003, a study published in the New England journal of Medicine had observed the NuvaRing and other birth control products interactions, with patients. The study concluded that patients were more likely to suffer: stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis.

Despite this and other scientific studies which have found similar results, the current label on the NuvaRing has yet to include any mentioning of these side effects. The only indication the NuvaRing’s label gives, is that it suggests that these adverse effects are more likely to occur when this products is used in conjunction with oral contraceptives. However, NuvaRing’s warning label also states that there is currently no available data to support the idea of the NuvaRing being no safer than oral contraceptives.

As of now, there is no mention of pulmonary embolism, stroke, or the other mentioned side effects on NuvaRing’s warning label.

This has led to various litigation movements, including multidistrict litigation (MDL) movements, and individual class action lawsuits such as Nelson. She is seeking medical compensation and other punitive damages from Merck & Co. at this time. This case is currently still pending.

This case is Carline Nelson vs. Merck & Co., Case 2:13-cv-06301-SDW-MCA, in the United States District Court of New Jersey.

File a NuvaRing Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a NuvaRing injury, you have legal options. Please visit the NuvaRing Birth Control Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned NuvaRing lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The NuvaRing attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.