The Bell Law Firm
...Similar problems are affecting tens of thousands of women who have been implanted with similar devices from various manufacturers.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (PRWEB) September 08, 2014
Managing partner of The Bell Law Firm and member of the Executive Committee of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC) for the transvaginal mesh (TVM) multidistrict litigation, Harry F. Bell, Jr., describes the September 5 decision to award plaintiff Jo Huskey $3.27 million in her case against manufacturer Ethicon as a landmark verdict for all women implanted with a similar device. (1, 2)
“It is a very important day for women who have been implanted with this device and have had so many problems,” Bell said. “Obviously, the jury was persuaded by the significant evidence,” he continued.
As a member of the Executive Committee of the PSC for the transvaginal mesh multidistrict litigation, Bell and his fellow PSC members oversee 66,000 lawsuits accusing several manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon, of selling defective TVM devices.
The decision came after a two-week trial where jurors found Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon liable for negligence, failure to warn patients and doctors of the risks associated with the Gynecare TVT Obturator product, and faulty design. (3)
According to Bell, this most recent ruling is in line with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) earlier concerns over TVM products. (4)
“This seemingly mirrors some of the concerns raised by the FDA relating to serious complications associated with transvaginal placement of surgical mesh for pelvic organ prolapse. Sadly, this [may have] adversely affected thousands of women,” said Bell. (5)
In 2011, the FDA issued a safety warning for physicians and consumers over complications that could arise through the use of mesh devices for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. (6)
Huskey’s case arose from the treatment of stress urinary incontinence with an implanted TVM device from Ethicon, but similar problems are affecting tens of thousands of women who have been implanted with similar devices from various manufacturers, Bell said.
For further information, visit belllaw.com, or call The Bell Law Firm at 1-800-342-1701.
About The Bell Law Firm
With the legal and technical resources necessary to litigate the most complex personal injury cases, The Bell Law Firm is proud to represent injury and accident victims from their office in Charleston, West Virginia. Having recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, the experienced attorneys at The Bell Law Firm work closely with their clients to successfully deliver justice on their behalf. For more information or for a free, no-obligation case review, visit belllaw.com or call 1-800-342-1701.
The Bell Law Firm
30 Capitol Street
Charleston, W.Va. 25301
(304) 345-1700
1. Huskey et al v. Ethicon Inc. et al, http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/west-virginia/wvsdce/2:2012cv05201/92090/223, 2014
2., 3. Jury hits Ethicon with $3.25 mln verdict in mesh case, http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/ethicon-mesh-verdict-idUSL1N0R61L720140905, 5 Sept., 2014
4., 5., 6. FDA Public Health Notification: Serious Complications Associated with Transvaginal Placement of Surgical Mesh in Repair of Pelvic Organ Prolapse or Stress Urinary Incontinence, http://www.fda.gov/medicaldevices/safety/alertsandnotices/publichealthnotifications/ucm061976.htm, 13 July, 2011