After California and Washington, Kentucky has become the latest state to file a lawsuit against the health care giant Johnson & Johnson alleging that the company have not disclose and mispresented the severe risks associated with transvaginal mesh implant and falsely marketing the device without adequate warning of it adverse effects. Transvaginal surgical mesh (TVM) implants were once believed to be an innovation with great potential for many women suffering from conditions such as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). In 2010, more than 75,000 women implanted a transvaginal mesh, however more than 10 percent of these surgeries resulted in failure. As per a medical survey in other years similar results were seen and unfortunately for many women, reports of complications came too late to prevent injury.
On Tuesday, The Attorney General announced that he is in scrutiny for thousands of dollars in damages to each of the patient’s case who were gone through transvaginal mesh implants manufacture by Johnson and Johnson. As per the Attorney Andy Beshear, the manufacturers of transvaginal mesh failed to warn patients and doctors about the severe risks associated with the device. Attorney Andy Beshear accuses the company for concealing the adverse effects of the device. Attorney states that more than 15,000 women in Kentucky transvaginal mesh was implanted without providing sufficient information about complications that can lead to permanent disability.
Tens of thousands of lawsuits across the nation have been filed by women and their families against Johnson and Johnson, the manufacturer of transvaginal mesh products. Transvaginal mesh have severe side effects like Bowel, bladder and blood vessel perforation, Urinary problems, Discomfort, Vaginal scarring, Vaginal mesh erosion (exposure of patch after surgery), Infection, Bleeding and Pain during intercourse. In May Washington and California filed similar actions, as per an email received on Tuesday Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon Inc. states that the lawsuits were “unjustified.” The company clarifies that the device are being implanted by conducting appropriate testing and research. The company states that the evidence will show that Ethicon acted appropriately and responsibly in the marketing of pelvic mesh products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this year re-labeled the products high risk instead of moderate and announced new federal scrutiny for the company. Women suffering mesh complications may be able to file a claim seeking compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties of $2,000 per violation of the state’s deceptive practices law, and $10,000 when targeted at consumers over age 60.