This is Michael Brady Lynch, lead trial attorney for The Michael Brady Lynch Firm.
I am not always in favor of the consolidation of mass torts cases into a federal MDL, but in the case of transvaginal mesh cases, I think the recent order consolidating the litigation involving several of the major transvaginal mesh defendants is a very good thing.
In a February 7 order, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) established three new multidistrict litigation cases (MDLs) against pelvic surgical mesh manufacturers American Medical Systems, Inc. (MDL No. 2325), Boston Scientific Corp. (MDL No. 2326) and Ethicon, Inc. / Johnson & Johnson (MDL No. 2327). The matters will be before Chief Judge Joseph R. Goodwin in the U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, who has an excellent reputation with both the plaintiff and defense bars as being fair, equitable and on the cutting edge of science and the management of complex litigations.
A little background on litigation involving transvaginal mesh cases: Surgical mesh is a medical device that is generally used to repair weakened or damaged tissue. It is made from porous absorbable or non-absorbable synthetic material or absorbable biologic material. In urogynecology procedures, surgical mesh is permanently implanted to reinforce the weakened vaginal wall to repair pelvic organ prolapse or to support the urethra to treat urinary incontinence. On July 13, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Safety Alert stating that it was unclear if the “mesh is more effective than traditional non-mesh repair and it may expose patients to greater risk.”
As a trial lawyer, every day I hear the defense bar defend their clients with the statement “every drug and medical device carries some risk.” Well, the problem with transvaginal mesh is that the risks far outweigh the benefits by a wide margin. Problems with transvaginal mesh, many of which very serious and life-altering, can include mesh erosion through the vagina (also called exposure, extrusion or protrusion), pain, infection, bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), organ perforation and urinary problems. Some women have to undergo multiple surgical interventions to repair damage from the mesh. Some women can never (yes, never) engage in sexual relations again after a transvaginal mesh implant.
If you or a loved one has a transvaginal mesh implant and suffered serious complications, please contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm for a no-cost, confidential evaluation of your case. If you suspect a problem with surgical mesh, I also strongly encourage you to file a voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program.
As always, I will keep my readers apprised of all developments in transvaginal mesh litigation.
About the Firm: The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is a trial firm with a focus on pharmaceutical mass tort cases involving SSRI and Anti-Seizure Medication Birth Defects such as Lexapro, Zoloft, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Depakote and Topamax, as well as Actos Bladder Cancer and Fosamax Femur Fractures, and medical device cases including DePuy Hip and Trans-Vaginal Mesh cases. Contact us today if you or someone you know has experienced side effects involving these products.
In a February 7 order, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) established three new multidistrict litigation cases (MDLs) against pelvic surgical mesh manufacturers American Medical Systems, Inc. (MDL No. 2325), Boston Scientific Corp. (MDL No. 2326) and Ethicon, Inc. / Johnson & Johnson (MDL No. 2327). The matters will be before Chief Judge Joseph R. Goodwin in the U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, who has an excellent reputation with both the plaintiff and defense bars as being fair, equitable and on the cutting edge of science and the management of complex litigations.
A little background on litigation involving transvaginal mesh cases: Surgical mesh is a medical device that is generally used to repair weakened or damaged tissue. It is made from porous absorbable or non-absorbable synthetic material or absorbable biologic material. In urogynecology procedures, surgical mesh is permanently implanted to reinforce the weakened vaginal wall to repair pelvic organ prolapse or to support the urethra to treat urinary incontinence. On July 13, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Safety Alert stating that it was unclear if the “mesh is more effective than traditional non-mesh repair and it may expose patients to greater risk.”
As a trial lawyer, every day I hear the defense bar defend their clients with the statement “every drug and medical device carries some risk.” Well, the problem with transvaginal mesh is that the risks far outweigh the benefits by a wide margin. Problems with transvaginal mesh, many of which very serious and life-altering, can include mesh erosion through the vagina (also called exposure, extrusion or protrusion), pain, infection, bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), organ perforation and urinary problems. Some women have to undergo multiple surgical interventions to repair damage from the mesh. Some women can never (yes, never) engage in sexual relations again after a transvaginal mesh implant.
If you or a loved one has a transvaginal mesh implant and suffered serious complications, please contact The Michael Brady Lynch Firm for a no-cost, confidential evaluation of your case. If you suspect a problem with surgical mesh, I also strongly encourage you to file a voluntary report through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting program.
As always, I will keep my readers apprised of all developments in transvaginal mesh litigation.
About the Firm: The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is a trial firm with a focus on pharmaceutical mass tort cases involving SSRI and Anti-Seizure Medication Birth Defects such as Lexapro, Zoloft, Effexor, Prozac, Celexa, Paxil, Depakote and Topamax, as well as Actos Bladder Cancer and Fosamax Femur Fractures, and medical device cases including DePuy Hip and Trans-Vaginal Mesh cases. Contact us today if you or someone you know has experienced side effects involving these products.