Transvaginal meshes are medical devices that are surgically implanted to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in adult women. These devices were manufactured by a variety of different medical companies and were frequently used in American health care settings until 2008, when the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about serious complications associated with their implantation and usage.
Since then, thousands of women have filed lawsuits against transvaginal mesh manufacturers alleging that manufacturers failed to adequately warn consumers of the risks associated with transvaginal mesh usage. Our team of nationwide personal injury attorneys at Bailey Glasser continues to assist victims across the country in seeking justice for their injuries, and our work includes patients who have been affected by transvaginal mesh defects.
To request a free consultation with a member of our team to inquire about your prospective transvaginal mesh lawsuit, contact us today.
Transvaginal Mesh Devices
Pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence are serious and life-altering medical conditions experienced by thousands of women every day. In response to these conditions, transvaginal mesh devices emerged as treatment options in the late 20th century.
Transvaginal meshes are net-like devices that are implanted to reinforce the vaginal walls and provide a permanent solution to pelvic organ prolapse. In patients experiencing stress urinary incontinence, transvaginal mesh devices are implanted to support the bladder, urethra, and other urinary system organs. The FDA approved transvaginal mesh devices for use in 1996 with respect to stress urinary incontinence, and in 2002 with respect to pelvic organ prolapse. Since then, according to the FDA, hundreds of thousands of American women have received transvaginal mesh implants to treat these conditions, with usage peaking in the mid-2000s.
Defects in Transvaginal Mesh Devices
In 2008, the FDA first warned that transvaginal mesh devices may cause serious complications, including severe pain and worsened urinary and reproductive symptoms. The FDA clarified in 2011 that the complications were being widely experienced, and in 2019, the FDA ordered all manufacturers of transvaginal mesh to stop selling the devices as intended for use on pelvic organ prolapse patients.
All manufacturers of transvaginal mesh devices ceased selling the products, but notably, no manufacturer issued a recall of transvaginal mesh devices. Transvaginal mesh devices have been manufactured by a wide variety of medical device companies, but the most widely used devices were manufactured by the following:
- Ethicon (Johnson and Johnson)
- C.R. Bard, Inc.
- Boston Scientific
- American Medical Systems, Inc.
- Coloplast Corp.
- Cook Medical, Inc.
- Neomedic
Since the risks associated with transvaginal mesh devices have been discovered, more than 100,000 lawsuits have been filed against these manufacturers in courts across the country.
Risks and Side Effects Associated with Transvaginal Mesh Use
The FDA’s recall of transvaginal mesh devices used to treat pelvic organ prolapse was justified on the basis that the risks associated with usage of transvaginal meshes did not outweigh the benefits they provide to patients. Across the countless number of transvaginal mesh lawsuits that have been filed in recent years, the following risks and side effects have been identified and associated with transvaginal mesh use:
- Vaginal bleeding and discharge
- Vaginal pain and discomfort
- Increase in urination
- Incontinence
- Pelvic abscesses
- Recurrent or chronic urinary tract infections
- Pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
In addition to these symptoms experienced by women who had transvaginal mesh devices implanted, men have also reported instances of physical damage to their genitals during sexual intercourse caused by a transvaginal mesh device used by a sexual partner. Any person who has received a transvaginal mesh device and who now experiences any issues associated with the device should contact an attorney as soon as possible to inquire about options to receive compensation for their injuries.
Manufacturer Liability for Transvaginal Mesh Defects
Through the course of the FDA’s recall and the subsequent litigation related to transvaginal mesh devices, it has become clear that the manufacturers of these devices knew or should have known about the risks associated with their usage. All in all, the massive failure of effectiveness associated with transvaginal mesh devices has given rise to a massive amount of legal liability for manufacturers.
Successful lawsuits against these manufacturers have been filed on many different bases, including products liability, false advertising, general negligence, and deceptive marketing practices. When companies such as these deceive and mislead the public to pursue profits at the cost of patient safety and livelihood, they deserve to be brought to swift justice.
Lawsuits for Transvaginal Mesh Victims
More than 100,000 lawsuits against transvaginal mesh manufacturers have been filed in recent years, and plaintiffs in these cases have been awarded billions of dollars in cumulative damages. Due to the age of these lawsuits, options for compensation continue to become limited overtime as cases begin to wrap up. However, options for seeking compensation from transvaginal mesh manufacturers continue to exist, and victims should not hesitate to consult with an attorney about potential claims.
Types of Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
There are several different types of transvaginal mesh lawsuits that have been filed in recent years. Some of these options may still be available to new victims, and others are no longer available. The types of transvaginal mesh lawsuits that have been filed include:
- Multi-district litigation (MDL) in Federal courts
- Individual lawsuits in Federal courts
- Individual lawsuits in state courts
- Class action lawsuits in Federal and state courts
From these lawsuits, plaintiffs may be able to recover quick settlements from manufacturers, and in others, plaintiffs may need to take a case all the way to trial. Our team of attorneys is experienced in seeking settlements to obtain fast compensation for our clients, but we’re not afraid to take a case to trial if necessary. An experienced attorney can assist you in evaluating your options for compensation and pursuing any options the law may entitle you to seek.
Multi-District Litigation in Transvaginal Mesh Cases
A multi-district litigation (MDL) proceeding allows for similar cases in Federal courts across the country to be consolidated into one large case for more efficient processing. Seven MDLs were organized against seven large transvaginal mesh manufacturers and were placed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia at Charleston. More than 100,000 individual cases were filed through these MDLs, and as of 2023, almost all of them have been resolved or dismissed. No new cases can be filed in these MDLs, but new cases can continue to be filed in other courts at the state and Federal levels.
Individual Lawsuits Against Transvaginal Mesh Manufacturers
Even though transvaginal mesh MDLs have wrapped up, new lawsuits can be filed against transvaginal mesh manufacturers by individual plaintiffs in courts all across the country. Cases continue to be litigated outside the MDLs and new cases are filed almost every day alleging transvaginal mesh injuries.
Verdicts and Settlements in Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
These lawsuits, including the MDLs, have resulted in almost $10 billion in cumulative settlements paid out to victims of transvaginal mesh complications. Only 32 cases of more than 100,000 have gone to trial, meaning that the vast majority of plaintiffs have received quick settlements from transvaginal mesh manufacturers. Generally, settlement amounts are kept confidential, but amounts are usually proportional to the severity and extent of the injuries suffered by the victim in the case. Trial verdicts, though, are public record, and notable transvaginal mesh trial verdicts include the following amounts:
- $500,000 in a Pennsylvania case against Ethicon
- $80 million in a Pennsylvania case against Ethicon
- $120 million in a Pennsylvania case against Ethicon
- $68 million in a New Jersey case against C.R. Bard, Inc.
- $19 million in a New Jersey case against Boston Scientific
- $26 million in a Florida case against Boston Scientific
While the results of any other case cannot guarantee similar results in your case, our team of attorneys at Bailey Glasser will pursue as much compensation on your behalf as you may be entitled to receive. The specific facts of each case determine how much compensation a victim may be entitled to receive, and if we are able to take your case, we can assist you in determining what that amount may be with respect to your specific set of circumstances.
Contact a Transvaginal Mesh Attorney Today
At Bailey Glasser, our nationwide team of personal injury attorneys has the expertise, experience, and resources to champion the rights of personal injury victims throughout the country. This extends across a wide spectrum of legal issues, including Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits, Long COVID Long Term Disability cases, Defective Firearms Lawsuits, and 3M Ear Plug Lawsuits. No matter the nature of your claim, rest assured that if we are able to represent you, you will receive focused attention from advocates passionately committed to seeking the maximum possible compensation on your behalf. Our pursuit of justice for each client fuels our practice, and we firmly believe that victims of transvaginal mesh defects, as with all our clients, deserve the fullest access to justice.
Contact our office today to set up a free, no-risk consultation with a member of our transvaginal mesh lawsuit team to inquire about your prospective claim for compensation.