Mesh Lawsuits Reach Settlement
Endo International will spend $830 million to resolve about 20,000 lawsuits filed in Alabama and other states involving transvaginal mesh (TVM) products. According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, the mesh lawsuits cite products sold by American Medical Systems, an Endo International subsidiary. Thousands of women claim to have suffered bleeding, organ damage, and pain during sex as a result of these vaginal mesh implants.
The transvaginal mesh device is advertised as treatment for a condition known as POP (pelvic organ prolapse) in which the pelvic organs sag, or prolapse, into the walls of the vagina. It was first approved in 2002 by the FDA, which subsequently issued warnings against the product in 2008 and again in 2011. The warnings advised that increased pain, mesh erosion, and other injuries were possible as a result of continued use. In the year before the second warning, surgeons had reportedly implanted around 70,000 TVM devices.
The announcement on May 6, 2014 concerning Endo International’s payment for TVM claims follows the proposal by the FDA to reclassify the use of transvaginal mesh. Originally classified as Class II (moderate risk), the product would be shifted to Class III (high risk), which needs pre-market approval.
After the extent of injuries for mesh lawsuits is confirmed in each individual case, each patient could potentially receive about $40,000 depending on the circumstances of their case, according to Bloomberg Business Week. If more severe injuries are confirmed or if it took multiple procedures to remove the implant, additional compensation may be possible. Endo stated the company had previously carried a product liability reserve of $530 million. Endo International states that its agreement to pay claims is in no way “an admission of liability or fault.”
If you have sustained injuries in Alabama from a transvaginal mesh device, contact Attorney Group for Alabama to discuss your options regarding mesh lawsuits. We are here to help answer your questions and concerns about what can be done in your particular situation. We can help determine if you have a claim in Alabama as the possible victim of a transvaginal mesh device side effect. If you decide to join those filing mesh lawsuits in Alabama, we can connect you with an attorney who can help you through the process of seeking compensation. Call the Alabama Injury Group today for your free consultation.
