Endo International PLC has agreed to settle roughly 20,000 claims and lawsuits for $830 million to women who were injured by transvaginal mesh implants.
The company released a statement saying that it settled claims related to the Apogee, Perigee and Elevate vaginal mesh devices, specifically.
Beginning in the late 1990’s, American women have been implanted with plastic mesh to strengthen the pelvic wall following pelvic organ prolapse, a condition wherein the bladder and other organs slip down into the vagina, causing incontinence. Most often, the mesh is implanted with surgical insertion through the vagina.
The transvaginal mesh devices were heralded as an alternative to traditional bladder suspension surgeries which required stitches. However, the FDA concluded that more than 10 percent of women who had the transvaginal mesh implants experienced erosion and other complications within the first 12 months. Mesh erosion occurs when it wears through the vaginal wall and encroaches on surrounding tissues and organs. Erosion also causes pain during sexual intercourse and can actually cause additional incontinence. The FDA also found that more than half of those women who experienced erosion of the mesh devices, required additional surgery to remove it.
The agreement to settle comes one day after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement calling for stricter safety rules and labeled the implants “high risk devices”.
William Maisel, the chief scientist for the FDA’s medical device department stated, “The FDA has identified clear risks associated with surgical mesh for the transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse and is now proposing to address those risks for more safe and effective products.”
While the $830 million settlement with Endo constitutes a major step forward in transvaginal mesh litigation, there is still more to be done. Johnson & Johnson, the leading manufacturer of such devices is still embroiled in more than 22,000 product liability lawsuits related to injuries caused by defective vaginal mesh implants.
If a family member or you yourself have received Transvaginal mesh products in conjunction with Pelvic Organ Prolapse or Stress Urinary Incontinence, and have experienced adverse vaginal mesh side effects, you should call Pulaski Kherkher PLLC to speak with one of our Vaginal Mesh lawyers today. By visiting with Vaginal Mesh attorneys, you can learn more about your rights and what you may need to do in order to receive the compensation you deserve. Our caring and professional lawyers are here to help you through your ordeal and help you receive compensation for your injuries weight loss quick.
Contact the Vaginal Mesh Attorneys of Pulaski Kherkher PLLC today at 800-BAD-DRUG (800-223-3784) if you've suffered any side effects after using Vaginal Mesh.
