Surgical Mesh Update - More Suits and Defendants Added

Transvaginal surgical mesh case litigation continues to grow. On February 7, 2012, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created additional multidistrict proceedings against three additional defendants: Ethicon Inc., (a division of Johnson & Johnson); Boston Scientific Corp.; and American Medical Systems Inc.. These defendants join C.R. Bard, Inc. as defendants. The Judicial Panel has already coordinated hundreds of cases against defendant Bard. Proceedings are pending before Chief Judge Joseph Goodwin of the Southern District of West Virginia.

In April, 2012 Judge Goodwin approved a steering panel committee of 61 plaintiffs attorneys who are involved in all four proceedings. The committee estimated that about 6000 cases could eventually be filed due to the faulty mesh devices which can cause chronic pain, infection, and injury within the pelvic region. Currently, the first round of pending cases are set to be tried in state courts - in Massachussetts, Minnsota, Delaware and New Jersey -- with consolidated cases possibly beginning trial in October of 2012.

This litigation isn't going away any time soon--the problems with the mesh implants for pelvic organ prolapse are all too real and painful for too many women, and despite the warnings (see my February 2012 blog posting), mesh products are still used by doctors to treat pelvic organ prolapse. I expect that the FDA will continue to issue periodic updates and warnings as its research progresses. The FDA has asked manufacturers to submit more studies of the safety and effectiveness of their mesh products.

The Williamson Law Firm continues to serve as local counsel, co-counsel and point of contact in some of these surgical mesh cases. Our clients have unfortunately suffered years of agony, multiple surgeries and permanent damage. If you, a family member or friend suffers from surgical mesh pain or problems, please contact me for more information.

Source: National Law Journal, "Mesh Devices Trigger Wave of Tort Cases," April 23, 2012 (subscription required for access).