After initially being postponed, the third bellwether case for the Bard Avaulta transvaginal mesh trials is finally set to begin on May 19 th. In addition, the discovery process for an additional 200 cases has been initiated. This is good news for the tens of thousands of women who are still suffering after being implanted with a transvaginal mesh product.
Avaulta is just one of the several brands of transvaginal mesh products that are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (PIP) and stress urinary incontinence in women. C.R. Bard manufactures Avaulta, as well as FasLata Allograft, Pelvicol, and PelviSoft Biomesh. Other manufacturers include Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, and American Medical Systems. All of these manufacturers have been implicated in more than 50,000 lawsuits that have already been filed in a consolidated MDL.
This bellwether trial is the third case that will not only help to shape the rest of transvaginal litigation, but also help pave the way for the thousands of other women who have been injured and who are currently waiting for compensation. The first of the Bard bellwether trials began last July and resulted in a $2 million jury award.
Dangers of Transvaginal Mesh Products
Once highly praised as a non-invasive way to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, transvaginal mesh implants are now considered a serious health risk. After receiving numerous complaints, the FDA began to grow concerned. In 2008, the FDA sent a warning to doctors who were performing these procedures and warned them to notify their patients of the risks and in 2011, the FDA issued a warning that the risks of using these products outweighed any of their benefits.
Some of the more serious complications that women have suffered, include:
- Serious infections
- Pain
- Organ perforation
- Internal bleeding and damage
- Return of stress urinary incontinence
- Return of pelvic organ prolapse
- Protrusion of mesh through vaginal wall
- Pain with intercourse
- Erosion of the vaginal wall
- Skin breakage
- Septicemia
- Death
- And more
At least 7 deaths have been linked to the use of transvaginal mesh implants and thousands more have been injured.
C.R. Bard is not the only medical device manufacturer in hot water over their transvaginal mesh product. Johnson & Johnson is currently facing more than 12,000 lawsuits over their Ethicon mesh implant alone. Other manufacturers include, American Medical Systems, Boston Scientific Corp, and Covidien.
National Transvaginal Mesh Litigation Lawyers
If you or someone you love has suffered medical complications after receiving a transvaginal mesh implant, you may be able to file a lawsuit. To learn more about your rights and legal options, call the Philadelphia dangerous medical device lawyers at Golomb Legaltoday.