Transvaginal Mesh Litigation Update

Transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed against several manufacturers across the country. Fast-tracked through the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) medical device review process, transvaginal mesh has been implanted in thousands of women, many of whom have experienced serious injuries and complications from the mesh.

First Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits Going Forward
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits filed by women who were injured by mesh manufactured by C.R. Bard Inc., Boston Scientific Corp, and Johnson & Johnson have been set for trial next February. Consolidated in U.S. District Court in Charleston, West Virginia, more than 600 cases have been filed against the manufacturers, claiming that transvaginal mesh caused serious and painful organ damage.

U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin will be overseeing the trials, which will begin February 5, 2012. Bard is a unit of Johnson & Johnson, which has had many product safety concerns over the years. Hundreds of other trials have been filed in state courts across the United States.

Congressional Report Highlights Dangerous Transvaginal Mesh Injuries
In a Congressional Report by Representative Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, transvaginal mesh is highlighted as a seriously defective medical device. Used to treat pelvic organ prolapse, transvaginal mesh is implanted to reinforce tissue that has become weakened or stretched, usually due to childbirth or age.

Because the FDA deemed the first transvaginal mesh as “substantially equivalent” to another mesh product already on the market, the FDA quickly approved transvaginal mesh as a viable treatment option for pelvic organ prolapse.

Yet shortly after receiving the implants, women began to experience severe pain, complications, and infections that required several subsequent surgeries. For some women, even having multiple surgeries will not correct the problem. The first transvaginal mesh was introduced in 1997, but it wasn’t until 2011 that the FDA issued a safety communication for medical devices that have been used in thousands of women.

FDA Orders Additional Transvaginal Mesh Studies
The FDA has ordered 31 transvaginal mesh manufacturers to conduct additional studies to determine the risks associated with transvaginal mesh side effects. Based on the FDA’s order, the medical device companies have to study the safety and effectiveness of transvaginal mesh for a period of three years.

Meanwhile, dedicated trial attorneys across the nation have filed lawsuits on behalf of victims injured by transvaginal mesh. In the process, they are attempting to change the way medical devices like transvaginal mesh are evaluated before becoming available on the market.

If you or a loved one was injured by a transvaginal mesh implant, you may be able to file a transvaginal mesh lawsuit to receive compensation for your injuries. Call experienced Dallas transvaginal mesh attorney Kay Van Wey today at (214) 329-1350 or (800) 489-5082 to speak with a compassionate female attorney who understands what you are going through and can help you better understand your legal rights.