Transvaginal mesh, or TVM, is designed to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in women. Recently, the number of claims over these devices has continued to rise as more women are experiencing vaginal scarring, infection and mesh erosion, among other complications.
Transvaginal mesh lawyers affiliated with Attorney Group report several updates pertaining to the pending litigation surrounding several transvaginal mesh manufacturers. Those who have been injured or fitted with allegedly defective transvaginal mesh implants should consider seeking legal counsel to attempt to recover compensation for their injuries.
Attorney Group is currently providing free, no-obligation case evaluations to women who have experienced adverse or life-threatening side effects due to allegedly defective transvaginal mesh implants. For more information about your legal rights, contact one of our affiliated transvaginal mesh lawyers today.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawyers Report Updates
On December 3, 2013, Bloomberg reported that plaintiffs currently filing claims against the manufacturers of transvaginal mesh implants allege that the defendants destroyed or lost crucial files related to the lawsuits. In particular, Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit has been accused of losing or destroying potentially hundreds of thousands of documents pertaining to the current litigation. According to plaintiffs, the documents went missing over the course of 10 years, and filings from the plaintiffs’ transvaginal mesh lawyers argue that the defendants could benefit from the lost information as it makes it more difficult for the plaintiffs to prove their cases.
Several bellwether trials have been scheduled for 2014 pertaining to transvaginal mesh implants. The first Ethicon proceeding is set to begin February 10, 2014 in West Virginia, according to court documents. Boston Scientific will take part in its first bellwether trial on March 10, 2014. Additionally, the first American Medical Systems bellwether trial is scheduled to begin on April 7, 2014. There are three more trials scheduled for the following months. Transvaginal mesh lawyers assert that these bellwether trials can provide insight as to how subsequent litigation may resolve in a specific proceeding.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Overview
Over 40,000 claims have been filed against Boston Scientific, American Medical Systems, Ethicon, C.R. Bard and other manufacturers in the Southern District of West Virginia. Court documents report that a separate multidistrict litigation has been established for each of the defendants. Recently, American Medical Systems reportedly paid more than $50 million to settle transvaginal mesh claims. In March 2013, a plaintiff was awarded more than $11 million in an Ethicon trial in New Jersey Superior Court.
In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning that it had received over 2,800 adverse event reports from patients suffering from injuries between 2008 and 2011. Patients allegedly experienced bleeding, pain, mesh erosion, infection, urinary problems, pain during sexual intercourse and perforated organs. Prior to the release of the warning, the FDA received 1,000 similar reports spanning between 2005 and 2007. The FDA has since requested that manufacturers of transvaginal mesh devices conduct post-market clinical trials to help the agency to better evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the products.
However, plaintiffs continue to file claims against the manufacturers in an attempt to seek compensation for their injuries. Depending on the circumstances surrounding a condition, a plaintiff may be entitled to recover monetary damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of quality of life, lost wages or medical expenses including additional procedures needed to remove the allegedly defective device.
Injured? A Transvaginal Mesh Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you love were fitted with transvaginal mesh and you subsequently developed complications or suffered from adverse side effects that you feel were directly caused by the device, contact Attorney Group today. We will inform you of your legal rights and help you to determine if you have a valid claim. An affiliated transvaginal mesh lawyer will handle your claim and help you to seek the compensation to which you may be entitled. The time to file is often limited, so to avoid revoking your right to recover damages, it is best to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.
