Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Medical Malpractice Law & StrategyKickerColumns & DepartmentsSectionsLJN Newsletters

Drug & Device News

By ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |
July 02, 2014

One Manufacturer Settles With Thousands of Transvaginal Mesh Claimants

American Medical Systems Inc. (AMS), a subsidiary of Endo International PLC, announced April 30 that it had settled 20,000 claims against it brought by users of its transvaginal mesh devices. These devices, which are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, have caused patients to suffer bleeding and pain, the plaintiffs say. For some, additional surgery to remove the devices has been required. AMS's $830 million settlement is the largest to result from the thousands of transvaginal mesh injury suits recently lodged against several device manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific Corp. Those larger companies are not expected to follow AMS's lead.

“It's going to be a busy year,” said Harry Bell of The Bell Law Firm in Charleston, WV, liaison co-counsel for the plaintiffs in the mesh litigation. “The landscape of TVM [transvaginal mesh] is going to be drastically different at the end of the year. We've already seen one huge change,” said Bell, referring to the AMS settlement. “The official position of the other defendants ' we're talking about Bard, Ethicon, and Boston Scientific ' is they are prepared to fight this,” Bell said. “They think ' there's nothing wrong with [their products], and they're aggressively fighting ' .”

One Manufacturer Settles With Thousands of Transvaginal Mesh Claimants

American Medical Systems Inc. (AMS), a subsidiary of Endo International PLC, announced April 30 that it had settled 20,000 claims against it brought by users of its transvaginal mesh devices. These devices, which are used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, have caused patients to suffer bleeding and pain, the plaintiffs say. For some, additional surgery to remove the devices has been required. AMS's $830 million settlement is the largest to result from the thousands of transvaginal mesh injury suits recently lodged against several device manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific Corp. Those larger companies are not expected to follow AMS's lead.

“It's going to be a busy year,” said Harry Bell of The Bell Law Firm in Charleston, WV, liaison co-counsel for the plaintiffs in the mesh litigation. “The landscape of TVM [transvaginal mesh] is going to be drastically different at the end of the year. We've already seen one huge change,” said Bell, referring to the AMS settlement. “The official position of the other defendants ' we're talking about Bard, Ethicon, and Boston Scientific ' is they are prepared to fight this,” Bell said. “They think ' there's nothing wrong with [their products], and they're aggressively fighting ' .”

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
How Secure Is the AI System Your Law Firm Is Using? Image

In a profession where confidentiality is paramount, failing to address AI security concerns could have disastrous consequences. It is vital that law firms and those in related industries ask the right questions about AI security to protect their clients and their reputation.

COVID-19 and Lease Negotiations: Early Termination Provisions Image

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some tenants were able to negotiate termination agreements with their landlords. But even though a landlord may agree to terminate a lease to regain control of a defaulting tenant's space without costly and lengthy litigation, typically a defaulting tenant that otherwise has no contractual right to terminate its lease will be in a much weaker bargaining position with respect to the conditions for termination.

Pleading Importation: ITC Decisions Highlight Need for Adequate Evidentiary Support Image

The International Trade Commission is empowered to block the importation into the United States of products that infringe U.S. intellectual property rights, In the past, the ITC generally instituted investigations without questioning the importation allegations in the complaint, however in several recent cases, the ITC declined to institute an investigation as to certain proposed respondents due to inadequate pleading of importation.

The Power of Your Inner Circle: Turning Friends and Social Contacts Into Business Allies Image

Practical strategies to explore doing business with friends and social contacts in a way that respects relationships and maximizes opportunities.

Authentic Communications Today Increase Success for Value-Driven Clients Image

As the relationship between in-house and outside counsel continues to evolve, lawyers must continue to foster a client-first mindset, offer business-focused solutions, and embrace technology that helps deliver work faster and more efficiently.