Couple Joins Thousands Who are Suing Ethicon for Vaginal Mesh Injuries

Illinois residents Karen Layne and Walter Layne have filed a product liability lawsuit against Ethicon Inc., alleging that their vaginal mesh implants are inherently dangerous, causing Karen to experience severe complications.

The lawsuit joins existing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Ethicon, a division of medical giant Johnson and Johnson, where thousands of vaginal mesh lawsuits have been consolidated.

MDLs are a form of mass tort or group lawsuit, similar to more familiar class action lawsuits. In all forms of mass torts, a group of plaintiffs sue a single defendant, alleging similar injuries under similar circumstances. The main difference between MDLs and class action lawsuits is that in a class action, all of the allegedly-injured parties are represented by a single lawyer or legal team, while in an MDL, all of the individual plaintiffs retain their own legal councils.

Thousands of lawsuits involving injuries from vaginal mesh have been consolidated into multiple MDLs for faster resolution. Vaginal mesh — also called pelvic mesh, transvaginal mesh, uro-gynecological mesh, or bladder slings — are a form of surgical mesh designed for use on the pelvic organs.

Surgical mesh was originally rolled out in the 1970s, and was used to support organs when their usual support structures were weakened or damaged. Surgeons began cutting surgical mesh into specific shapes for pelvic surgery, and by the 1990s, manufacturers like Ethicon began producing surgical mesh pre-cut for pelvic surgeries. Since this new “pelvic mesh” was based on existing technology, manufacturers were able to skip certain tests in clinical testing.

However, transvaginal mesh was associated with a number of serious complications. In some individuals, the mesh cuts through the very tissue it was designed to protect through friction. In other cases, the body tries to encapsulate the mesh, growing around it through a process called embedment. Additionally, scar tissue from abnormal tissue growth can “glue” various pelvic organs together through a process called adhesion. The problems associated with pelvic mesh have shown up across different models and manufacturers of surgical mesh, resulting in a number of MDLs against different mesh manufacturers.

The case has been filed within the MDL In Re: Ethicon Incorporated, Pelvic Repair Systems Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2327, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Free Help for Victims of Vaginal Mesh Complications

If you had revision surgery to repair damage caused by vaginal mesh, or you have surgery scheduled, you may be able to take legal action against the device manufacturer. These companies have already paid out millions of dollars in vaginal mesh lawsuit settlements and are continuing to settle cases. Don’t delay – see if you qualify to pursue compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages by filling out the short form at the Transvaginal Mesh, Bladder Sling Class Action Lawsuit Investigation.