Vaginal slings have been linked to a large number of serious and life-threatening complications. The lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard are currently investigating potential vaginal sling and vaginal mesh lawsuits. Vaginal sling and mesh lawsuits are personal injury cases in which women seek compensation for injuries they have suffered as a result of vaginal sling and mesh complications.
Vaginal Sling ComplicationsVaginal slings and vaginal mesh, which are typically used to treat Stress Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Organ Prolapse, are medical devices that are surgically placed inside the body through an incision in the vaginal wall to strengthen the pelvic floor. Vaginal slings and vaginal mesh are made and distributed by many different medical device companies, including, Bard, Mentor and Johnson & Johnson.
To date, over 1,000 women have reported developing one (or more) vaginal sling complications. According to a health alert issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some of the more common vaginal sling complications include erosion through vaginal epithelium, infection, pain, urinary problems, and recurrence of prolapse and/or incontinence
Vaginal Sling and Vaginal Mesh LawsuitsNumerous vaginal sling and mesh lawsuits have been filed by women who say they suffered serious complications after being implanted with these medical devices. One particular vaginal sling, called ObTape, has been the subject of dozens of lawsuits alone. The cases filed in federal courts have been centralized for pre-trial proceedings before a single court in the District of Georgia. According to experts, the ObTape design is too dense, which may prevent the sling from being fully incorporated in the body, increasing the incidence of serious side effects.
The company that manufactures ObTape, Mentor Corporation, which was recently acquired by Johnson & Johnson, stopped selling ObTape in 2006 but claims there is nothing wrong with the product, which was cleared for sale by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Vaginal Slings & the FDAThe ObTape and other transvaginal sling lawsuits raise new questions about the process by which the FDA monitors new medical devices. While the agency “approves” drugs, it merely “clears” medical devices with minimal testing if they are deemed “substantially equivalent” to devices already in use. This process has been criticized by the agency’s scientists and in a recent Government Accountability Office report which concluded that most devices on the market have never been proved safe and effective.
In the case of ObTape, the chain of “substantially equivalent” claims allegedly can be traced back to an older vaginal sling that caused so many problems it was taken off the market. However, that recall did not stop the FDA from clearing a new generation of vaginal slings whose claim to safety was their similarity to the defective device.
Vaginal Sling LawyerIf you or a loved one were injured by a vaginal sling or vaginal mesh, you may have a
bladder sling injury lawsuit or
vaginal mesh lawsuit. Contact a
Mentor sling attorney or vaginal mesh lawyer at (877) 779-1414 or info@consumerinjurylawyers.com for a confidential and free case evaluation or visit our consumer advocacy website, www.ConsumerInjuryLawyers.com.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.
