NuvaRing® MDL Update: Number of NuvaRing® Lawsuits Filed in Federal Court Continue to Grow

There are currently over 1,340 NuvaRing® cases pending against the manufacturers of NuvaRing®, and the number of cases filed against the manufacturers of NuvaRing® continue to increase. Since August, 61 new cases have been filed in federal court. All cases filed in federal court are consolidated in the Multidistrict Litigation In re: NuvaRing® Products Liability Litigation (MDL 1964), which is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri before the Honorable Judge Rodney W. Sippel. The rising number of lawsuits reflects the serious injuries that women have suffered while using NuvaRing®.

NuvaRing® is a hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring manufactured by Merck and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001. Since that time, there have been reports of serious injuries sustained by women using NuvaRing®, including blood clots, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), deep vein thrombosis (blood clot typically in the deep vein of leg or arm), and strokes.

NuvaRing® provides monthly birth control by inserting the product against the cervix. NuvaRing® uses a type of synthetic hormone that is different from, and more dangerous than, the one used in traditional birth control pills. It contains ethinyl estradiol (EE), an estrogen, and etonogestrel (ENG), a third generation progestin. Since the early 1990s, several scientific studies have been published indicating that hormonal contraceptives containing third generation progestins, such as NuvaRing®, are associated with an increased risk of blood clots in comparison to hormonal contraceptives containing second generation progestins. The increasing number of plaintiffs bringing lawsuits against Merck and its subsidiaries allege they were inadequately warned by the company of the increased risk of blood clots associated with NuvaRing®.

Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP are national leaders in the NuvaRing® Multidistrict Litigation (MDL 1964) and have been appointed by Judge Sippel to serve in leadership roles. In particular, Roger C. Denton has been appointed to serve as Plaintiffs’ Co-Lead Counsel, and Kristine K. Kraft has been appointed to serve as Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel and Co-Lead Counsel in the Multidistrict Litigation.

If you or a loved one have suffered serious – even fatal – blood clot-related injuries while using NuvaRing®, please contact the experienced attorneys at Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, LLP toll-free at 1-800-873-5297 for your confidential and free consultation.

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