A jury awarded a woman $5.5 million against C.R. Bard for serious injuries sustained after being implanted with their mesh device. This was the first transvaginal mesh claim to go to trial, however, hundreds of other victims wait as their cases are pending trial against several manufacturers including C.R. Bard, American Medical Systems, Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon and Boston Scientific. These cases involve the use of polypropylene mesh, which was used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in women.
This victim, a 53-year-old woman, had two of Bard’s mesh devices implanted in 2008 to treat occasional urinary incontinence. However, the victim has undergone eight additional surgeries, as well as nine other procedures since 2008 due to the mesh device cutting into her colon and tissue, which continues to grow through tiny holes in the mesh.
Despite the many complaints received, Bard did not suspend sales of the mesh device in the United States until July 1, 2012. Even in light of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issuing a Safety Alert in July 2011 for all transvaginal mesh devices, stating their uncertainty regarding whether the “mesh is more effective than traditional non-mesh repair” and that it may expose patients to greater risk.
Hundreds of women suffer daily as a result of these transvaginal mesh devices since they are embedded with scar tissue deep within the woman’s organs, making it impossible to completely remove the device, in most cases. Some of the injuries caused by the transvaginal mesh devices include vaginal mesh erosion, severe pain, painful sexual intercourse, infection, urinary problems, organ perforation, recurrent prolapse requiring additional surgery, bleeding, neuromuscular problems, vaginal scarring and emotional problems due to the continued daily problems.
These manufacturers are negligent for the pain and suffering they caused so many women who underwent this procedure to improve their quality of life, not to cause permanent damage and pain, and they must be liable for the damages caused to so many women.
Contact one of our Gacovino/Lake attorneys at 1-800-HURT (4878).
