Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Editor: Robert Blanchard
Profession: Attorney at Law

Category: Ortho Evra Legal News

A recent story out of New Jersey brings more Ortho Evra blood clots to light. Twenty-year-old college student Kristin Ribakusky-Templin rushed to the emergency room at her local hospital after two weeks of leg pain had gotten so bad she was unable to walk.

Doctors discovered multiple blood clots in her leg and lungs, and kept her in the hospital for two weeks, during which time she underwent two procedures and a surgery. After assessing the health issues of this otherwise healthy runner and karate black belt, doctors pointed to her use of the Ortho Evra birth control patch as the cause of her clots.

Though Ribakusky-Templin had been using Ortho Evra for less than two months, she developed severe and potentially fatal blood clots as a result. Her case is one of dozens reported in the past nine months that have resulted in lawsuits against Ortho-McNeil Pharamceutical Inc., the maker of Ortho Evra.

Many of the women affected by Ortho Evra blood clots have experienced devastating long-term effects, including depression, infertility, and being forced to take blood-thinners for the rest of their lives.

There have also been a number of deaths associated with Ortho Evra use. Heather Scott was an energetic, enthusiastic Indianapolis college student studying radiation therapy, volunteering for the National Heart Association and working full-time. She died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism while using the Ortho Evra birth control patch for nearly a year.