Johnson & Johnson is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) from numerous women alleging similar TVT complications related to transvaginal mesh implants.

One of the most recent additions comes from a California woman alleging her TVT complications occurred soon after implantation.

Plaintiff Pearl M. is filing her vaginal mesh lawsuit in the growing MDL after learning that other women have been experiencing severe TVT complications. Pearl had reportedly opted for Ethicon’s TVT vaginal mesh product after reviewing Johnson & Johnson’s marketing materials and going over different options with her physician.

Pearl soon underwent vaginal mesh implant surgery on Jan. 4, 2011. However, not long after the device was implanted, Pearl reportedly experienced serious TVT complications.

After learning of that other women may have experienced similar TVT complications, Pearl joined the vaginal mesh litigation against Johnson & Johnson. Pearl alleges the company either knew or should have known the dangers surrounding their products.

Overview of TVT Complications

Vaginal mesh has been used since the 1970s, when gynecologists had begun using surgical mesh for pelvic organ prolapse repair. By the 1990s, vaginal mesh treatment was in mainstream use, and implants for that specific use were being produced by a number of different manufacturing companies.

However since these products entered the market, the FDA has since received thousands of vaginal mesh injury reports. In 2011, the FDA reported that it had received almost 4,000 vaginal mesh reports of injury or death between 2005 and 2010.

The agency had concluded that the vaginal mesh complications were not rare, and that vaginal mesh was no more effective than industry standards. The vaginal mesh complications reported by patients include: mesh erosion, mesh tearing, infection, device failure, organ tearing, and organ perforation.

Many injured women have had to undergo revision surgery to resolve their TVT complications. Revision surgery is considered riskier than the initial procedure due to higher risk of infection. Even though these vaginal mesh complications can be devastating to patients, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to notify patients in a timely manner.

According to her vaginal mesh lawsuit, Pearl had used the TVT mesh for its intended purpose and did not deviate from physician’s instructions. In addition, there were reportedly no warnings against TVT complications on warning label. Pearl states that she never would have opted for the TVT mesh if she had known against the potential complications.

Pearl’s vaginal mesh lawsuit is being filed in MDL No. 2327, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By filing her claim into the MDL, she will be streamlining her vaginal mesh lawsuit through the litigation process and will avoid conflicting rulings from different judges.

This TVT Complications Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-03676, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Charleston Division.