With the number of transvaginal mesh cases continuing to grow-some believe that the quantity of claimants could reach over 100,000. Currently, there are over 40,000 defective medical device claims in federal and state courts involving plaintiffs seeking compensation against American Medical Systems Inc., Johnson & Johnson Inc., Ethicon Inc., American Medical Systems, CR Bard Inc., Gynecare, Tyco, Covidien, Mentor, Sofradim, and others.
Vaginal mesh devices are used to treat Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) in women. In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration put out a Public Health Notification letting the public know that using this type of mesh product in medical procedures could cause injuries, including bleeding, infection, pain, recurring incontinence/prolapse, and other complications. The FDA followed up with another update in 2011 stating that “serious complications” from transvaginal mesh are not rare and the device does not enhance the chances of a successful outcome more than traditional procedures that don’t use mesh devices.
In other recent transvaginal mesh injury news, a judge says that Johnson & Johnson destroyed thousands of files about vaginal mesh implants. In West Virginia, U.S. magistrate judge Cheryl Eifert, where vaginal mesh lawsuits have been consolidated for pre-trial hearings, found that the manufacturer’s Ethicon unit, which manufactures TVT Retropubic and Gynecare Prolift meshes, destroyed or lost thousands of computer files and documents about the devices going back as far as 2007.
Eifert says that Ethicon admits that its document-retention system “failed miserably” in certain situations. However, she did say that there was no proof that company officials purposely tired to keep vaginal mesh files out of court. Regardless, she said that the officials were negligent and as punishment juries should be allowed to know about the document destruction.
J & J this month is facing trial over its TVT Retropubic sling, which supports female internal organs. Plaintiffs, however, say that the vaginal-mesh insert shrank and eroded, causing injuries and pain. Other allegations against Ethicon products are that the devices can cause recurring infections and organ perforation.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
Boston transvaginal mesh injury cases can be very complex, which is why patients that have experienced complications should contact an experienced Massachusetts defective medical device law firm right away. Other complications linked to this device include painful sex, nerve damage, vaginal scarring, neuromuscular problems, perforation, and surgical complications.
Revision surgery can be required to remove or replace a mesh implant-especially if it has eroded into the urethra, bladder, or vaginal walls. As with any kind of surgery, there are risks involved and, in certain circumstances, more than one revision procedure may be required.
Please contact our Boston vaginal mesh injury law firm. Your health complications and injuries may be a result of a defective transvaginal implant device.
J&J destroyed thousands of files on vaginal mesh implants, judge says, New Jersey.com, February 5, 2014
Pelvic mesh lawsuit set for Monday, Sunday Gazette-Mail.com, February 9, 2014
FDA Safety Communication: UPDATE on Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh for Pelvic Organ Prolapse, FDA, July 13, 2011
More Blog Posts:
Massachusetts Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit Can Proceed, Says Appeals Court, Drug Injury Lawyers Blog, October 18, 2013
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Continue to Be Brought Against CR Bard, Boston Scientific, American Medical Systems, Other Medical Device Manufacturers, Drug Injury Lawyers Blog, July 17, 2013
Vaginal Mesh Injuries Lead to Boston Defective Medical Device Lawsuits, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, September 22, 2011