Transvaginal Mesh Global Settlements on the Rise
Coloplast, Inc. may be considering settling a number of transvaginal mesh lawsuits against it for $16 million, Bloomberg reports. If Coloplast A/S, one of the smaller manufacturers of mesh devices, proceeds with the settlements, legal experts predict an impending global settlement of similar lawsuits against other mesh manufacturers.
Coloplast A/S, a Danish medical device company, has reportedly agreed to pay $16 million to settle various lawsuits covering approximately 400 women who sued for injuries caused by the company’s transvaginal mesh device, Bloomberg.com reports. The device was designed to repair pelvic organ prolapse. However, women who had the surgery complained of serious injuries following the procedure including organ perforation, chronic pain, infection and device erosion. The lawsuits charge the device manufacturers with failing to adequately warm women about the risks associated with their devices.
The transvaginal mesh litigation involves one of the largest mass tort multi-district litigation matters in history. Other transvaginal mesh manufacturers involved in the litigation include C.R. Bard Inc., Johnson & Johnson, and Boston Scientific Corp. If the Coloplast settlement proceeds, it would mean an average of approximately $40,000 for each of the 400 claimants involved in those suits.
Bloomberg.com interviewed Carl Tobias, a product liability law professor at the University of Richmond, via email for his take on the Coloplast settlement in light of other ongoing transvaginal mesh litigation. According to Mr. Tobias, “[i]t appears that momentum is building for some type of global resolution as more of these vaginal-mesh cases settle.”
How Do I Get More Information?
If you or someone you love has experienced injuries following a transvaginal mesh procedure, contact the experienced attorneys at Audet & Partners, LLP for a free evaluation of your legal options. Call us at (800) 965-1461 or fill out the confidential case inquiry form on the right side of this web page.
*Source: Feeley, Jef (2014, March 4); Retrieved from: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-04/coloplast-said-to-pay-16-million-to-settle-mesh-lawsuits.html
