New Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Assistance: Resource4thePeople Reports Key Trials Scheduled by Federal Judge
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) October 25, 2013 -- http://www.resource4thepeople.com/defectivemedicaldevices/transvaginal-mesh-lawsuit.html
Resource4thePeople is reporting important new developments today to consumers who have been following lawsuits alleging that transvaginal mesh implants have failed and caused women severe health problems and medical costs.
The number of these cases has soared into the tens of thousands and many of the federal transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been consolidated before a federal judge in what is called a multidistrict litigation.
“As of the latest reporting period ending Oct. 17, 2013* there are now over 33,350 transvaginal mesh lawsuits in this multidistrict litigation involving allegations against such manufacturers as Boston Scientific, C.R. Bard, Endo Health Solutions and Ethicon” said Resource4thePeople.
“There has also been a steady increase in the number of inquiries from consumers about their legal rights to seek compensation over such allegations and as a result we are announcing the continuation of our policy of free consultations from our national network of consumers in these cases.”
In another new development, the judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation has posted an order in which he has schedule trial dates for two bellwether cases involving Boston Scientific mesh products, according to the court file** in the litigation.
U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Goodwin has ordered lawyers to complete their pre-trial evidence gathering by Jan. 20, 2014 and set trial dates for March 10 and July 14, 2013, according to the court file.
“We are encouraged that these cases will be going to trial soon and a jury will able to hear the evidence involving allegations of transvaginal mesh failure and decide these cases on the facts presented to them,” said Resource4thePeople.
The lawsuits involve allegations that mesh products that were implanted in women’s bodies to treat pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence failed and caused them to suffer serious side effects, including infections, organ damage, vaginal pain and other health problems, according to the court files.
Resource4thePeople is also informing consumers that Bloomberg News has reported in a Sept. 30, 2013 posting*** that settlement discussions are underway involving manufacturers C.R. Bard, Endo Health Solutions, Boston Scientific and two other companies.
"Lawyers for Bard, Endo Health Solutions Inc., Boston Scientific Corp. and two other companies making vaginal inserts to support women’s pelvic muscles and treat incontinence have begun talks about settling all suits over their products, the people familiar with the matter said," according to the report. “Johnson & Johnson, which also faces suits over the inserts, isn’t involved in the talks, said the people, who asked not to be identified because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly."
Resource4thePeople supports settlement talks as a positive step in the interests of consumers who may have been affected by these allegations.
"When lawsuits are filed there are always the possibilities of settlements being reached before cases go to trial, which spares both sides the possibility of lengthy litigation over these claims," said Resource4thePeople.
"We encourage these talks and also are maintaining our commitment to provide complimentary consultations to other consumers who may have been affected by transvaginal mesh side effects and are seeking information about the legal rights they may have to seek compensation."
Bloomberg in its report quoted Judge Goodwin as telling the attorneys:
“I know you all are considering settlement protocols and the possibility of resolutions,” Goodwin said at a Sept. 18 court hearing. He noted the talks were going on “behind the scenes.”
Resource4thePeople provides this outline of the major transvaginal mesh lawsuits against medical device companies that have been consolidated and remain under the jurisdiction of Judge Goodwin:
• In re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair Systems Products Liability Litigation (MDL-2325)
• In re: Boston Scientific Corp., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation (MDL-2326)
• In re: C. R. Bard, Inc. Pelvic System Products Liability Litigation (MDL-2187)
• In re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation (MDL-2327)
In August, in bellwether trials involving transvaginal mesh manufactured by C.R. Bard Inc., a jury found the company liable for $2 million in damages in one case**** and Bard settled another as the trial was scheduled to begin.*****
The $2 million in damages was awarded to a Georgia nurse who claimed that a Bard Avaulta Plus mesh implant she had in 2009 was defective and caused her to suffer serious health problems, including several corrective surgeries, according to the court file.
In the other case, Bloomberg News reported****** on Aug. 21, 2013 that attorneys for Wanda Queen of North Carolina told the judge overseeing the litigation in U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia that the case had been settled and the judge then dismissed the jury.
Bloomberg reported that the woman claimed that “Bard’s Avaulta insert caused pain and forced her to have six surgeries. The settlement comes a week after another West Virginia jury ordered Bard to pay $2 million in damages in a separate suit involving the product.”
Sources:
*http://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-October-17-2013.pdf
** In re: Boston Scientific Corp., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation (MDL-2326)
***http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-30/bard-vaginal-mesh-makers-said-to-be-in-settlement-talks.html
****Cisson v. C.R. Bard Inc., 2:11-cv-00195, U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia (Charleston)
***** Queen v. C.R. Bard Inc., 2:11cv00012, U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia (Charleston)
****** http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-28/j-j-owes-7-76-million-in-punitives-in-vaginal-mesh-case.html
Bill Callahan, iLawSuit, +1 858 602-2749, [email protected]
Share this article