As we have discussed in previous posts, studies have shown that the ingredients contained in YAZ®, Yasmin® and Ocella® have been linked to various forms of severe side-effects. Reportedly, these side-effects include: heart attack, stroke, deep vein thrombosis (also known as DVT or blood clots), internal organ damage (including gallbladder damage), myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. Recently, a large number of YAZ® lawsuits have been designated as Mass Tort or Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) cases.
After receiving Mass Tort designation on February 9, 2010, in the New Jersey Superior Court, Bergen County, Judge Martinotti issued an Initial Order for Case Management on February 18, 2010. The Case Management Order (CMO) is the basis for how pending and future cases are managed leading up to trial. A few of the issues outlined in the CMO are:
- the method for handling discovery requests;
- preservation of records;
- cases to be filed in the future;
- methods for filing pleading documents; and
- methods for filing motions.
An initial Case Management Conference (CMC) has been scheduled for April 26, 2010. At that time counsel for all of the parties will appear before Judge Martinotti to discuss suggested procedures that will facilitate a just, expeditious and inexpensive resolution to the litigation. Counsel for the parties will meet and confer before the CMC to seek consensus with regard to the items that are to be discussed during the conference.