NuvaRing is a birth control method that was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2001. NuvaRing is a flexible plastic ring that is inserted into a woman’s vagina and releases low doses of both progesterone and estrogen.
The concept behind NuvaRing is similar to traditional birth control pills. The hormones inside NuvaRing are activated when the ring comes into contact with the vagina upon insertion. Low doses of the hormones are then released over a three-week period.
These hormones prevent pregnancy by preventing the ovaries from producing mature eggs. The ring is then removed at the beginning of the fourth week, which triggers a woman’s normal monthly menstrual cycle.
Nuvaring Lawsuits
Although NuvaRing has been promoted as a safe alternative to traditional birth control methods such as contraceptive pills, there have also been some very serious side effects and complications reported by users of NuvaRing.
In fact, over 1,000 lawsuits have already been filed by women who claim they suffered blood clots or other serious adverse events as a result of using NuvaRing.
Some of the other commonly reported adverse events reported by users of NuvaRing include:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Toxic shock syndrome
- Liver cancer
- Bleeding
- Gallbladder disease
- Death
NuvaRing lawsuits are based on the area of the law known as product liability. A manufacturer of a product can be held liable for damages caused by a defective product. In the case of most drugs or medical devices, such as NuvaRing, the legal basis for a product liability lawsuit is that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings to consumers.
Although the manufacturer of NuvaRing has advertised it to be as safe as oral birth control pills, some experts believe that because the hormones in NuvaRing are absorbed directly into the bloodstream it actually puts women at a higher risk for blood clots and other adverse side effects.
A report released by the FDA in 2011 found that vaginal ring contraceptives could increase the risk of blood clots by as much as 56 percent. Furthermore, the British Medical Journal published a study from Denmark in 2012 that found users of vaginal ring contraceptives are as much as 90 percent more likely to suffer a blood clot.
If the manufacturer failed to adequately warn users about these risks, then they could be held responsible for the physical and emotional injuries suffered by women who used NuvaRing.
Nuvaring Multi-District Litigation
Because numerous lawsuits that have been filed against the manufacturer of NuvaRing, many cases have been consolidated into a special federal multi-district litigation in Missouri. The U.S. federal district judge who is presiding over the litigation has set the first NuvaRing trial for May 2013.
Because the law allows a victim a limited amount of time within which to bring a lawsuit against the manufacturer of a defective product, it is crucial that you contact an attorney as soon as you suspect that you have suffered complications or side effects as a result of your use of a NuvaRing.
Harmed by Using Nuvaring? Talk to Our South Carolina Nuvaring Lawyers Today
If you are a NuvaRing user and you believe that you have suffered injuries, negative side effects, or complications as a result, you could have a right to compensation for the medical expenses and the emotional trauma you have endured.
Because each woman’s experience with the NuvaRing is unique, the best way to determine what legal options you have is to consult with a South Carolina NuvaRing attorney. Call Joye Law Firm at (888) 324-3100 or use our online contact form. There is no fee for your first consultation.
