Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Claims Settled by American Medical Systems

A unit of Endo Health Solutions, a manufacturer of transvaginal mesh, recently agreed to pay $54.5 million to settle some of the claims against it.* The unit, American Medical Systems, disclosed the information in a filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission.* Among the medical devices at issue in the lawsuits were the Perigee, Apogee and Elevate mesh implants.*

There are currently approximately 5,000 cases against American Medical Systems relating to its transvaginal mesh products, most of which are filed in a West Virginia federal court and grouped together in a multi-district litigation proceeding.* Importantly, the above settlement does not apply to those cases.*

In addition to the lawsuits against manufacturers of transvaginal mesh implants, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a report in August of 2011, which found that products utilizing transvaginal mesh should be classified as “posing a high risk to patients.”* In making its determination, the FDA relied on reports regarding side-effects from January 2008 to December 2010.*

There have already been several transvaginal mesh trials in state courts across the nation. In July 2012, a California trial court awarded an injured woman $3.6 million against Bard.* A state court in Atlantic City, New Jersey awarded a plaintiff $11 million.* Altogether, there are approximately 29,000 lawsuits alleging injuries caused by products using transvaginal mesh.* The large number of lawsuits has hit Endo Health Solutions hard. In fact, Moody’s even lowered its outlook for the company after seeing the company’s vulnerability to suit.*

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury that may be related to vaginal mesh, please contact Audet & Partners, LLP by calling us toll free at 800.965.1461. Alternatively, please complete and submit our confidential inquiry form on the right side of this page.  Please act now, since the law may limit your right to recovery if you delay.

* Endo Health Unit Pays $55 Million in Vaginal Mesh Accord, (June 20, 2013), http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-21/endo-health-unit-pays-55-million-in-vaginal-mesh-accord.html