According to reports, a woman who had brought a transvaginal mesh lawsuit against C.R. Bard in 2012 and awarded $5.5 million dollars for damages caused by transvaginal mesh. Another transvaginal mesh lawsuit awarded a woman with $11.11 million from Ethicon for injuries she endured.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
As of May of 2014, American Medical Systems Inc. had settled approximately 20,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuit claims against it. The company still faces another 23,000 lawsuits. Attorneys are reportedly seeking higher claim settlements for clients who suffered erosion and required one or more revision surgeries.
Approximately 100,000 women across the U.S. annually undergo corrective surgeries involving the insertion of pelvic mesh or transvaginal mesh products. Many women file claims secondary to injuries suffered from the products. The lawsuits commonly are against more than 40 different mesh products manufactured by seven major companies:
- American Medical Systems
- Boston Scientific
- Coloplast Corp.
- Cook Medical
- C.R. Bard
- Ethicon division of Johnson & Johnson
- Neomedic
Food & Drug Administration Response
In April 2014, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) proposed that the organization would reclassify transvaginal mesh as a high-risk medical device. A report published on July 25, 2014, by Bio-Medicine indicated that the agency refused to initiate a global recall of transvaginal mesh products despite a petition filed by the Public Citizen consumer advocacy group. The FDA also rejected banning the manufacturing of all surgical mesh products.
The agency began an extensive review of transvaginal mesh in October 2008. At that time, the FDA advised the public of the dangers and complications associated with the devices. In 2011, the agency issued another warning following thousands of reports of personal injury related to the mesh products.
Transvaginal Mesh Complications
Originally created for hernia repair, surgeons began implementing the woven polypropylene mesh for correcting the pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence that many women experience. However, as healing occurred, blood vessels and soft tissues commonly enveloped the mesh, which caused tissue and organ erosion or perforation. The extent of tissue involvement may require multiple corrective surgeries.
Women residing in Mississippi who suffered injury after undergoing transvaginal mesh surgeries should consult with Attorney Group for Mississippi. There is no obligation for a free review of your case. Consider contacting us today, as the time to pursue a claim is often limited. We can help answer your questions, and connect you with an experienced attorney if you decide to pursue a claim.
