Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Update (6 Nov 2014) – On Nov. 4, Boston Scientific Corp. began their first federal transvaginal mesh trials. The plaintiffs say they were injured by transvaginal mesh, a device used to treat stress urinary incontinence as well as pelvic organ prolapse. The women say Obtryx and Pinnacle devices are poorly designed and rushed to market without clinical safety trials. The most frequent TVM complaints include infection, pain, bleeding and nerve damage. As a result, patients often need surgical intervention.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Update Only Affects Boston Scientific Claims
According to Reuters, Boston Scientific alone faces over 23,000 product liability lawsuits. However, they aren’t the only manufacturer facing pelvic mesh injury claims. Combined with Johnson and Johnson’s Ethicon Inc. and C.R. Bard Inc., there are more 72,000 total claims. This fact makes transvaginal mesh one of the most controversial medical devices in American history. U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin of U.S. District Court in the Southern District of West Virginia consolidated claims against seven device manufacturers. Group trials of this nature are rather rare, but sometimes necessary with this many pending lawsuits.
Past cases yielded mixed results, with both plaintiffs and defendants winning different jury rulings. Ethicon and Boston Scientific both deny liability. Regardless, Women’s Health Weekly reported Georgetown University Hospital researchers were seeing a rise in synthetic vaginal mesh removal.
While this eases pain for many patients, complete mesh removal often requires multiple surgeries and may not be completely effective. Reuters reported that in light of building claims, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it may require transvaginal mesh makers to submit extra safety data. At the moment, several trials are pending within the U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia.
What You Can Do
If you or someone you know has experienced some of these symptoms and has needed surgery to rectify the situation, you might be eligible to file a TVM lawsuit. Contact an attorney who specializes in cases like these and can help you plan the best course of action.
Lori Polemenakos is Director of Consumer Content and SEO strategist for LeadingResponse, a legal marketing company. An award-winning journalist, writer and editor based in Dallas, Texas, she's produced articles for major brands such as Match.com, Yahoo!, MSN, AOL, Xfinity, Mail.com, and edited several published books. Since 2016, she's published hundreds of articles about Social Security disability, workers' compensation, veterans' benefits, personal injury, mass tort, auto accident claims, bankruptcy, employment law and other related legal issues.