Yasmin and YAZ Class Action Settlement

A Canada-wide settlement has been reached with Bayer Inc., Bayer Corporation, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Bayer Healthcare LLC, and Berlex Laboratories, Inc. (collectively referred to as “the Defendants”) in class action lawsuits filed in Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Québec.

These lawsuits relate to the oral contraceptives Yasmin and YAZ and include claims that these medications may be linked to serious health issues such as blood clots and gallbladder disease or removal. The class actions raised various allegations about the risks associated with taking these medications.

The Defendants have not admitted to any of the allegations made in the class actions and maintain that they have not engaged in any wrongdoing.

Under the Settlement, Bayer will provide an all-inclusive Settlement Fund of CAD $9,050,000.00.

The Settlement Fund will be used, among other things, to pay the costs of notice and administration of the Settlement, the claims of Provincial Health Insurers, Class Counsel legal fees, and benefits for Approved Claimants who are part of the Settlement Class.

The Courts will be asked to approve the Settlement Agreement and a Benefits and Distribution Protocol. This protocol will explain who is eligible to receive settlement benefits and how much they may receive.

For the purposes of the Settlement, the Settlement Class is comprised of:

All persons who are residents of Canada and who were prescribed and ingested Yasmin between December 10, 2004 and/or YAZ between January 6, 2009, and:

  • November 30, 2011, if you reside in Ontario or Quebec, or
  • October 4, 2016, in the case of Canadian residents outside of Ontario and Quebec

AND were subsequently diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions:

  • Arterial thromboembolism
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Gallbladder disease

OR a resident of Canada who, by virtue of a personal relationship with any individual described above, has a derivative claim for damages under Canadian family law legislation.

The deadline to object to the Settlement for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Superior Court of Québec was on October 14, 2025.

The deadline to object to the Settlement in the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan was on January 15, 2026.

The Claims Administrator is no longer accepting objections to the Settlement.

Before anyone can apply for compensation, the settlement must first be approved by the Courts.

The Settlement Approval Hearing before the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan on November 21, 2025, has been adjourned and will instead take place on February 11, 2026, at 2 p.m., at the Courthouse in Saskatoon. (Hearings before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Superior Court of Québec have already taken place.)

Once the settlement is approved, more information will be shared about how to file a claim and receive compensation.

The qualifying injuries include:

Medical conditions related to blood clots that may qualify:

  • Venous Thromboembolism (incl. Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Vein Thrombosis).
  • Arterial Thromboembolism (incl. Ischemic Stroke and/or Myocardial Infarction)

Medical conditions related to the gallbladder that may qualify:

  • Gallbladder Disease/Cholecystectomy

Qualifying Associated Fatality

  • Fatality related to Venous Thromboembolism (“VTE”)
  • Fatality related to Arterial Thromboembolism (“ATE”)

To successfully submit a claim for compensation, you’ll need to provide specific documents that prove your eligibility. These records are essential to verify your medical condition and/or your use of Yasmin or YAZ during the relevant time period.

Because gathering medical and pharmacy records can take time, it is strongly recommended that you begin the process of collecting this evidence as soon as possible. Starting early will help ensure you are ready to file your claim once the claim period opens.

  • Product Identification Evidence: To show that you were prescribed Yasmin or YAZ during the relevant time period, you’ll need to provide proof. This can include a pharmacy printout, a letter from a medical clinic or licensed doctor, or notes from your medical records that confirm you were prescribed and took the medication during the specified dates.
  • Injury Evidence: To support a claim, you’ll need to provide proof of the medical condition or related fatality. This means submitting medical records that clearly show the diagnosis and the date it occurred. These records can include notes from your doctor or hospital documents. If anything in the records needs clarification, a letter from your doctor may be used to explain the details.

As a third-party administrator, we are unable to offer guidance on whether you should obtain legal advice, nor can we provide any legal advice.

Class Members that fall within the Settlement Class are automatically included and represented by Class Counsel. Each Class Member who did not opt out of the Class Action will be bound (and will bind their related Family Class Member(s)) by the terms of the court approved settlement and will not be allowed to pursue an independent action against the Defendants related to the subject matter of the Class Action.

The next step is for the Courts to review the proposed settlement. During scheduled hearings, the Courts will carefully assess the terms of the agreement to determine whether it is fair, reasonable, and in the best interest of the Class Members.

If the settlement is approved, a formal claim period will begin. During this time, individuals who qualify as Settlement Class Members, as well as their eligible family members will be able to submit a claim and supporting evidence to request compensation.

Detailed instructions and timelines for how to file a claim will be provided once the approval process is complete.

The Settlement Approval Hearing before the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan on November 21, 2025, has been adjourned and will instead take place on February 11, 2026, at 2 p.m., at the Courthouse in Saskatoon. (Hearings before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and Superior Court of Québec have already taken place.)

The deadline to object to the Settlement for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Superior Court of Québec was on October 14, 2025.

The deadline to object to the Settlement in the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan was on January 15, 2026.

You may contact class counsel at:

ONTARIO
McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP
1800-140 Fullarton Street
London, ON N6A 5P2
Email: christina.wolfe@mckenzielake.com
Telephone: 519-672-5666
OUTSIDE ONTARIO & QUÉBEC
Merchant Law Group
2401 Saskatchewan Drive
Regina, SK S4P 4H8
Email: yasminyaz@merchantlaw.com
Telephone: 1(866)653-7777
306-540-2284
QUÉBEC
Siskinds Desmeules
43 Rue De Buade #320
Québec City, QC G1R 4A2
Email: recours@siskinds.com
Telephone: 1 (877) 735-3842

You can also contact us for more information at the address below:

Epiq Class Action Services Canada Inc.
Attn: YAZ/Yasmin Class Action Settlement Administrator
PO Box 507 STN B
Ottawa ON K1P 5P6
Email: Info@YasminYazClassActionCanada.ca
Telephone: 1-877-741-8728
Fax: 1-866-262-0816

Important Updates:

The deadline to object to the Settlement for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Superior Court of Québec was on October 14, 2025.

The deadline to object to the Settlement in the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan was on January 15, 2026.

The Claims Administrator is no longer accepting objections to the Settlement.

Settlement Approval Hearing

The Settlement Approval Hearing before the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan will be held on February 11, 2026.