Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Over Nuva Ring Contraceptive

This week a wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of the family of a New Jersey mother of two who tragically died after suffering a seizure on December 7, 2007. Jackie Kelly Bozicev, 32, had recently moved into a new home with her husband, Robert, and two young children Mary Kelly and Matthew. Jackie and Robert planned two have more children in the future, but wanted to hold off for a little while. Jackie decided to try a relatively new form of birth control, NuvaRing, which promised to be a low maintenance and effective contraceptive. She began using the NuvaRing in May and within eight months Jackie suffered a seizure, allegedly caused by the contraceptive, that would end her life.

An autopsy concluded that Jackie Kelly Bozicev died as a result of a massive pulmonary thromboemboli, or an obstruction to the arteries in the lungs, the lawsuit said. The fatal condition was caused by a blood clot in the pelvic veins, it said.

Blood clots have been a common problem with several types of birth control. The lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers of NuvaRing failed to provide adequate warnings detailing the risks associated with their product. No long long-term studies have been completed concerning the risks related to NuvaRing. The lawsuit claims that the manufacturers’ marketing gives a false sense of security to patients considering using and those using the product.

The lawsuit alleges that the drugmaker presented data to the FDA claiming that the side effects of NuvaRing are comparable to those of oral contraceptives “despite no studies confirming these statements.”