Another Ethicon vaginal mesh lawsuit was added to an Ethicon MDL (multidistrict litigation), this case filed by a Georgia resident who allegedly experienced unknown vaginal mesh complications after having an Ethicon Prolene Soft Mesh implanted.

MDLs are used to consolidate sometimes thousands of lawsuits involving plaintiffs with similar claims.

Plaintiff Wanda J. underwent vaginal mesh implantation on May 13, 2003 in Georgia. Later, she allegedly experienced vaginal mesh complications similar to other plaintiffs in the Ethicon MDL.

The Ethicon MDL includes 18 counts against Ethicon. Plaintiffs state which claims they want to make against Ethicon in their individual complaints. For example, loss of consortium (loss of intimacy with a spouse) only applies to married couples.

Counts against Ethicon include negligence, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, defective product, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and several other counts.

Ethicon MDL Complications

Vaginal mesh complications named in the Ethicon MDL and other Ethicon lawsuits include:

• Pain during sex
• Urinary problems
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Vaginal scarring
• Perforated bladder, bowel, or blood vessels
• Mesh erosion into the vagina
• Infection
• Organ injuries

These vaginal mesh complications have been associated with vaginal mesh implants, vaginal slings, bladder slings, and transvaginal mesh. Several women had to undergo surgery in order to remove their mesh or sling.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits

Vaginal mesh devices were first introduced to the market in 2005. In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about vaginal mesh complications. By 2011, the FDA had received over 1,000 adverse event reports. Ethicon and other companies were ordered to further research the safety of their vaginal mesh products. Four Ethicon vaginal mesh products were removed from the market after this testing period.

Ethicon lawsuit plaintiffs claim that Ethicon previously failed to adequately test the device and only received FDA approval by claiming that it was similar to other FDA approved devices.

Many vaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed against AMS, Boston Scientific, Ethicon, and other manufacturers because of of vaginal mesh injuries. Over 20,000 product liability lawsuits have been filed against Ethicon, and its parent company Johnson & Johnson, alone.

Millions of dollars in settlements have already been paid to vaginal mesh complication victims. One woman, who allegedly had to undergo 18 operations due to Ethicon vaginal mesh, was awarded over $3 million last September. A $1.2 million settlement was awarded to another Ethicon vaginal mesh victim.

Ethicon vaginal mesh bellwether trials are scheduled to begin in January. These trials are not connected with Wanda’s claims against Ethicon or the Ethicon MDL she is part of, but they may influence potential settlements. Bellwether trials may be used to determine what evidence and testimony should be used in Ethicon vaginal mesh trials.

This Ethicon Vaginal Mesh MDL is In Re: Ethicon Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 2327 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Charleston Division.