N.Y. Couple Joins Ethicon MDL Over Vaginal Mesh Injuries

N.Y. Couple Joins Ethicon MDL Over Vaginal Mesh Injuries

By Amanda Antell

New York couple, Yajaira A. Landin and Brett Granowetter, is suing Ethicon LLC for the injuries Landin suffered from their vaginal mesh product, Pelvicol Acellular Collagen Matrix and TVT. Landin alleges that she suffered from injuries like mesh erosion and tearing as a result of using the vaginal mesh products.

The device was implanted into Landin on June 14, 2002 to treat either her pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). She suffered from debilitating pain afterwards and needed to have the mesh removed or corrected through revision surgery.

Upon the revision surgery, it was discovered that the tissue in the surrounding implantation had become infected, and she had suffered from mesh erosion, tearing, and other unspecified consequences. Even after the removal surgery, Landin still must undergo regular checkups and still suffers slight pain. 

Landin is suing Ethicon LLC, because neither she nor her husband had been made aware of these possible side effects before or after procedure. Even her surgeon had no such knowledge.

So for manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing an alleged dangerous product, Landin and her husband are suing Ethicon LLC for negligence. Other charges include: false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.

Overview of Vaginal Mesh Complications

Vaginal mesh injuries are not new to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The agency recently announced they are no longer considered uncommon. In 2008, the FDA announced that it had received over 1,000 vaginal mesh injury reports over a three-year period, extending to 2011. One of the most prominent vaginal mesh manufacturers, as well as one of the most infamous, is Ethicon LLC, a division of the medical giant, Johnson & Johnson, and is in a series of litigation battles over the injuries female patients had reported suffered from their products.

According to the FDA vaginal mesh safety alert issued in July 2011, some of the serious complications associated with Ethicon’s vaginal Mesh products are:

•        Pelvic and urinary pain
•        Pain during intercourse
•        Vaginal scaring
•        Mesh erosion through the vaginal lining
•        An increased risk of infection
•        Puncturing of the blood vessels, bowels, bladder, and recurrence of SUI

Vaginal mesh products were first approved and created in the 1990s to treat women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). It was thought up by a surgeon who had created the mesh to treat a woman’s lower organ prolapse after she had experienced a difficult child birth. It is considered one of the most successful medical innovations in the last decade, with many women choosing mesh to treat their problems in a discrete manner.

While considered a success by many medical experts, there have been thousands of consequences reported from these products. Women across the nation who have used these mesh products, have reported numerous debilitating side effects, and are seeking legal action for not being warned against these side effects.

Vaginal Mesh Litigation Movement

Landin’s case is a part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) movement against Ethicon, joining other women who suffered the same injuries she did, and are alleging the same charges. She and her husband seek damages in medical compensation, pain and suffering, and other punitive charges.

In Re: Ethicon Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2327, in the United States District Court of Southern West Virginia.

File a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a vaginal mesh injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Vaginal Mesh Sling Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned vaginal mesh lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The vaginal mesh attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.