Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, Ethicon Inc., are facing a slew of allegations over serious vaginal mesh device complications, including mesh erosion.

Now, a New York woman is joining the rising number of cases in multi-district litigation (MDL) against the mesh manufacturer.

Plaintiff Leslie C. opted to have the vaginal mesh product implemented on Aug. 08, 2012, to treat either her stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Vaginal mesh is typically made up of a biologically safe material, which is meant to be permanently placed inside the woman’s weakened pelvic region.

She had opted for the TVT-Abbrevo after reviewing the defendants’ marketing statements, of the device being safe and effective.  Unfortunately, it was not long after the TVT-Abbrevo vaginal mesh was implanted that she started experiencing complications, which may have included mesh erosion, mesh tearing, organ prolapse, and device failure.

Overview of Vaginal Mesh Complications

The need for vaginal mesh typically occurs after the body experiences a physically traumatic event, such as child birth, menopause, or a hysterectomy.

Whether it is to assist with urination control or preventing pelvic organs from dropping into the vagina, vaginal mesh can be implanted the provide the necessary support that the woman needs.

Ideally mesh products would provide a discrete treatment method for these highly personal problems, and would allow the patients to live an unhindered life. Vaginal mesh was first used for hernia repair in the 1950s, with surgeons beginning to use surgical mesh to treat POP and SUI in the 1970s.

Not long after, pharmaceutical companies developed their own mesh models to compete in the specific market. Complications associated with vaginal mesh have become a major concern recently, with the FDA reporting numerous adverse event reports in July 2011.

In the agency’s public warning, there were 4,000 vaginal mesh injury reports submitted between the years 2005 and 2010. From the data the FDA concluded that mesh complications were nor rare, nor does vaginal mesh necessarily increase the quality of life for patients.

The agency stated that it was questionable if the benefits the vaginal mesh provided outweighed the risk. Upon the release of this warning, numerous patients filed legal action against vaginal mesh manufacturers for failing to warn them of these complications.

Vaginal Mesh Litigation

At this point, there are approximately 70,000 vaginal mesh lawsuits pending in the U.S. District Court of Southern West Virginia. Leslie is joining the litigation movement, claiming that the company either knew or should have known about the potential complications associated with their mesh product.

Leslie claims that she never would have opted for the TVT-Abbrevo if she had known the risks associated with the product. So for being allegedly responsible for manufacturing, selling, distributing, and marketing a dangerous product, Leslie is suing Johnson & Johnson.

The charges include negligence, false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.

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