Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Help: Resource4thePeople Reports Key Trials Scheduled in Consolidated Federal Cases as Number of Cases Increases
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) September 04, 2013 -- http://www.resource4thepeople.com/defectivemedicaldevices/transvaginal-mesh-lawsuit.html
Important developments of interest to consumers following lawsuits alleging transvaginal mesh failures were announced today by Resource4thePeople.
The latest figures provided by the U.S. Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigations show that there has been a significant increase in the number of federal lawsuits* alleging transvaginal mesh failures causing serious injuries to women.
As of Aug. 15, 2013, according to the panel, there are now 25,910 cases pending in cases making similar allegations from across the country that have been assigned to a U.S. District Court judge in West Virginia.
"The huge number of cases involved in this litigation demonstrates how widespread the allegations of serious health problems caused by transvaginal mesh products are and the tens of thousands of women who are claiming injuries as a result of these medical devices," said Resource4thePeople.
"Our national network of attorneys is aggressively representing some of these women and will continue to offer free consultations to others who may have suffered similar side effects and are seeking information about what rights they may have to seek compensation for medical expenses and other costs."
Resource4thePeople also is providing consumers with a road map of the major transvaginal mesh lawsuits against medical device companies that have been consolidated and remain under the jurisdiction of the judge:
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)
Another important development in this litigation is that the judge has now scheduled four bellwether trials in cases that have been filed against Boston Scientific Corp. (MDL-2326).
The first of two trials involving allegations with Boston Scientific's Pinnacle transvaginal mesh will begin Feb. 11, 2014 and trials involving the company's Obtryx mesh will begin June 17, 2014, according to the court file.
"Bellwether trials are extremely important because they allow attorneys for both sides to test the strengths and weaknesses of their cases and move the litigation forward," said Resource4thePeople.
"Consumers who may have similar allegations should also be aware that even though trial dates have been set in these cases that we are still accepting and reviewing claims from women who have not yet filed lawsuits."
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.
Last month, 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.”
“As can be seen from the Bard cases, it is not uncommon for large companies defending themselves in these litigations to decide to settle cases after they have lost large jury verdicts," said Resource4thePeople.
"We will be tracking the progress of these and other cases and providing timely updates to consumers who are following this litigation and may have similar allegations involving transvaginal mesh."
There is also a multidistrict litigation involving transvaginal mesh, in New Jersey, in which Bloomberg News reported on Feb. 28, 2013***** that a jury awarded over $11 million in compensatory and punitive damages to a South Dakota woman.
The South Dakota woman's lawsuit****** over a Johnson & Johnson Gynecare Prolift was the first to go to trial from among 2,100 transvaginal state court mesh lawsuits consolidated in New Jersey.
Transvaginal mesh side effects were detailed by a Food and Drug Administration warning of “serious complications associated with transvaginal placement of surgical mesh for pelvic organ prolapse."******
In the warning issued to health care professionals, the FDA cited recent medical literature which revealed that:
• Mesh used in transvaginal POP repair introduces risks not present in traditional non-mesh surgery for POP repair.
• Mesh placed abdominally for POP repair appears to result in lower rates of mesh complications compared to transvaginal POP surgery with mesh.
• There is no evidence that transvaginal repair to support the top of the vagina (apical repair) or the back wall of the vagina (posterior repair) with mesh provides any added benefit compared to traditional surgery without mesh.
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Sources:
*http://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL-Dockets_By_District-August-15-2013.pdf
**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
*****Gross v. Gynecare Inc., Atl-L-6966-10, Superior Court
Bill Callahan, iLawSuit, +1 (858) 602-2749, [email protected]
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