Johnson & Johnson has spent at least $68.7 million to settle hundreds of lawsuits filed by women who suffered blood clots, heart attacks or strokes after using the company’s Ortho Evra birth-control patch, Bloomberg News reports, citing court documents.

The health care giant avoided trials through the confidential settlements and hasn’t released the financial details to investors. Nonetheless, 562 complaints reviewed by Bloomberg show the vast majority alleged the patch caused deep-vein thrombosis, or blood clots in the legs, and pulmonary embolisms, or blood clots in the lungs. Some blamed it for heart attacks or strokes. The complaints blamed Ortho Evra for the deaths of 20 women, Bloomberg writes.

Complaints filed on behalf of 4,000 women in state and federal courts claim the company hid or altered data about the risks of high levels of estrogen released by Ortho Evra. More than 5 million women have used the patch since sales began in 2002. J&J voluntarily strengthened the warning label in 2005, 2006 and 2008 with FDA approval, the news service notes.

Lawyers familiar with the Ortho Evra litigation who requested anonymity tell the news service that J&J typically settles death cases for more than $1 million, deep-vein thrombosis cases for $125,000 to $175,000, and pulmonary embolisms for $140,000 to $300,000. Although the amounts can vary depending on a woman’s circumstances, according to the lawyers who spoke with Bloomberg.

J&J, which makes diaphragms and birth-control pills, developed the patch as an alternative method of hormonal birth control for women who might forget to take their pills daily. Last year, sales for such products fell 9 percent, to $900 million, and blamed a “significant decline” in Ortho Evra sales, specifically, on “labeling changes and negative media coverage concerning product safety.”

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