Woman Sues Ortho Evra Maker Over Leg And Lung Blood Clots
31-year-old Colorado woman filed a product liability lawsuit against the makers of the popular birth control patch Ortho Evra after she developed pulmonary embolism (lung blood clots) and deep vein thrombosis (leg blood clots) she claims was caused by the contraceptive.Injuries Sustained
The woman began wearing the Ortho Evra patch in 2004. Nine months later, she was hospitalized after she suffered severe blood clots in her lung and leg—an adverse event that has been directly linked to the use of Ortho Evra.
As a result of her serious injuries, the plaintiff will never be able to use hormone therapy contraceptives and/or treatments for the duration of her life. Furthermore, she is more likely to develop future medical complications including infection in her lung as a result of damaged tissue.
J&J’s Liability
According to the lawsuit, the makers of the birth control patch, Johnson & Johnson, should have been aware that their product significantly increased the risk of stroke, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, and death.
The lawsuit claims that J&J acted negligently and recklessly when they failed to warn consumers of the severe risks of Ortho Evra.
In September 2006, J&J revised their product label to include a stronger warning about the increased risk of blood clots, stroke, and death with the use of the patch in comparison to the contraceptive pill.
Studies have found that because the patch is placed on the skin and goes directly to the bloodstream, users are being exposed to 60 percent more estrogen than those who take the pill form, significantly increasing their risk of serious injury or death.