Partner in Parker Waichman Alonso LLP Appointed to Plaintiffs' Steering Committee of the Multi-District Litigation for Yasmin and Yaz Litigation

GREAT NECK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Andres F. Alonso, Esq., a partner in the law firm of Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, has been appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2100) currently pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

The Plaintiffs' Steering Committee was appointed by U.S. District Judge David Herndon in an Order dated November 10, 2009. In addition to Mr. Alonso’s appointment, Michael S. Burg, Michael London and Mark N. Niemeyer were appointed as Co-Lead Counsel to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee. Judge Herndon also appointed Roger Denton as Liaison Counsel.

More than 100 lawsuits have been filed by women across the United States who claim they suffered strokes, pulmonary emboli, deep vein thrombosis, blood clots, gallbladder disease, and other serious injuries after taking Yaz and Yasmin. Yaz and Yasmin are both made with a type of progestin called drospirenone, making them different from many other oral contraceptives. Drospirenone can elevate the body's potassium levels, which can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia in certain patients. Hyperkalemia may result in potentially serious heart and health problems. Adverse Events reported to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) involving Yaz and Yasmin include heart arrhythmias, electrolyte imbalance, hyponatremis, hyperkalemia, hyperkalemic arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, blood clots, embolisms, and sudden death.

Yaz is the top-selling oral contraceptive in the U.S. Last year, Yaz and Yasmin generated about $1.8 billion for Bayer. Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits allege that these sales were achieved through a marketing campaign that presented the medications as more than mere birth control pills, and touted them as treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, premenstrual syndrome and moderate acne. Bayer Corporation and the other defendants named in the complaints have been warned at least three times by the FDA over misleading television advertisements which overstate the efficiency of Yaz or Yasmin and minimize serious risks associated with the drugs.

On October 1, 2009, all Yaz and Yasmin lawsuits pending in federal court were consolidated for centralized and coordinated pre-trial proceedings in the Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois before Judge Herndon (MDL No. 2100).

The Plaintiffs' Steering Committee will, among other things, conduct and coordinate the discovery stage of this litigation with the defendants’ representatives or committee. The Committee will also act as a spokesperson for all plaintiffs at pretrial proceedings and in response to any inquiries by the Court.

Andres Alonso also serves as Co-Lead Counsel in the Denture Cream Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2051) currently pending before Honorable Judge Cecilia Altonaga in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division.

The other members of the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee appointed by Judge Herndon are:

Daniel Becnel

A.J. DeBartolomeo

Thomas Girardi

Arnold Levin

Jeff Lowe

Roopal R. Luhana

Steven Maher

Trent Miracle

Mark Robinson

Appointments to the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee expire one year from the date of Judge Herndon's order. Appointees to the Committee may apply to be reappointed at that time.

About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP

Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York, New Jersey and Florida. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective drugs, medical devices and other products.

For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, please visit: www.yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).