You’ve probably heard about medical devices that have caused significant injuries to patients, but a serious threat in the news today is that of the Avaulta transvaginal mesh. The product was used for the purpose of treating an ailment that causes urinary pain and incontinence, known as pelvic organ prolapse.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning for transvaginal mesh products in 2011. It requested manufacturers to provide studies of the helpfulness and safety of these products because severe complications were becoming more common when these transvaginal mesh products were used. Later that year, the FDA delivered a warning against these products to alert both patients and physicians of the increase in reports of injuries. In 2012, Avaulta transvaginal mesh products were removed from the market by Bard.
There have been approximately 20,000 lawsuits brought against mesh manufacturers C.R. Bard Inc. and others. These lawsuits claim that the women experienced symptoms such as pain, infection, scarring, and mesh corrosion.
The first case went to trial in August and plaintiff was awarded punitive damages in the amount of $1.75 million, as well as compensatory damages amounting to $250,000 because she was not warned about design defects causing multiple surgeries required to take the device out.
The second federal bellwether trial involving these products recently settled as well. The amount of the settlement was confidential, but the second woman was represented by the same attorneys from Athens, Georgia. There are at least two more cases set to go to trial involving the transvaginal mesh bellwether product.
Symptoms of Failure in Transvaginal Mesh Products:
If you or someone you know have experienced injuries as a result of a transvaginal mesh, you may have a claim to seek monetary compensation for those damages. You may be compensated for medical expenses, pain and suffering, or lost wages. Symptoms of failure may include pain in the abdominal area, pain during sex, bleeding, incontinence, lingering vaginal discharge, bladder block, or mesh erosion through a layer of skin in the vagina.
If you have experienced these symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor. If you’d like to discuss your options with a transvaginal mesh attorney, contact Jones & Swanson online or by phone at (770) 427-5498. All consultations are free and confidential.
Categories: Personal Injury
