Merck & Co. recently announced an agreement to pay $100 million in order to settle all pending lawsuits regarding the company’s NuvaRing contraceptive.

The agreement covers all cases that have been filed in state and federal courts, as well as any claims that have not been filed yet. The company says 95 percent of the 3,800 eligible people need to take part in the agreement in order for it to be put in place.

NuvaRing, available by prescription only, is a plastic vaginal ring that releases low doses of two female hormones, estrogen and progestin. While the ring is in place, these hormones are released in order to block ovulation.

The ring was designed by the company Organon and Schering. It became available in the U.S. in 2002. But in 2007, users of the product began filing lawsuits against the company, alleging that the product could cause blood clots. These clots can lead to heart attacks, strokes and sudden death. Lawsuits also accused the manufacturer of failing to warn the public about these potential health risks.

Merck purchased Schering-Plough in 2009 and inherited the liability blamed on the NuvaRing, along with all the lawsuits. Merck denies all liability to any injuries suffered by victims in its settlement agreement.

If the settlement is approved, it would be much less than what other manufacturers have had to pay out for similar product defects. Last year, Bayer paid almost $1.6 billion in settlements to the thousands of claimants in lawsuits accusing the company’s Yaz and Yazmin birth control pills of causing blood clots that also led to strokes and heart attacks.

If your doctor has prescribed a medication which caused injuries or left you disabled, contact an experienced Westport medical malpractice attorney to find out what civil action you may be able to file for compensation in regards to the pain and loss you may have suffered.