Several manufacturers of vaginal mesh implants, including C.R. Bard, are in talks to settle thousands of lawsuits pending in multidistrict litigation, according to sources close to the litigation.
These companies are accused of designing and manufacturing defective and dangerous products that were intended to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, but in many cases resulted in vaginal erosion and other complications. Bloomberg reports that lawyers representing the five companies have begun talks with plaintiffs, who are demanding the assembly of a vaginal mesh lawsuit settlement committee.
The aim is to resolve thousands of lawsuits concerning vaginal mesh products – although the total number of suits could grow to more than 50,000 as more women become aware of the litigation and are diagnosed with complications. Bard’s pelvic mesh products are at the center of more than 12,000 lawsuits. Boston Scientific is facing a similar number of claims, and American Medical Systems is looking at around 13,500 lawsuits. Coloplast and Cook have around 1,000 claims between them.
Although Ethicon is not involved in talks about a mass settlement, there are five manufacturers who are. C.R. Bard, Endo Health Solutions (American Medical Systems), Boston Scientific Corp., Coloplast and Cook Medical are the vaginal mesh manufacturers reported to be involved in the talks, according to Bloomberg.
The first two trials – against Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon division and C.R. Bard — were found in favor of the TVM patients. The juries in the separate cases found the TVM manufacturers negligent in designing and marketing their faulty products and failed to warn patients of the dangers. One woman was awarded $5.5 million and the other was awarded $11 million.
There are currently more than 30,000 lawsuits pending in a federal court consolidation. The settlement talks are looking to resolve nearly all of those, the article said. So far this year Endo has already paid out more than $50 million in vaginal mesh settlements.
Are you suffering complications after receiving a transvaginal mesh implant? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering you have endured as a result of these dangerous implants. Call one of our vaginal mesh injury lawyers at McDivitt Law Firm. Our toll free number is 877-931-6840. Or you can click here for a confidential case evaluation form.