The litigation against manufacturers of pelvic mesh devices continues to increase nationwide. A pelvic mesh implant is a synthetic material implanted and tied to ligaments or bone to lift and support internal organs. The implants were introduced over a decade ago, and can serve as an alternative to a hysterectomy. Thousands of women, who were allegedly uninformed about the dangers involved with the mesh implants, have since complained of injuries, including severe pain, infections and bleeding that often require follow-up surgeries.
There are over 10,000 lawsuits pending against C.R. Bard for the Avaulta device. The majority of these cases are consolidated as part of a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) before U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin in the Southern District of West Virginia. As we previously reported, C.R. Bard agreed to settle 500 of those cases for an undisclosed amount.
Judge Goodwin has urged C.R. Bard to seriously consider a global settlement. As Bloomberg reported, Judge Goodwin told attorneys for C.R. Bard “I can’t imagine a corporation facing potentially billions of dollars in verdicts wouldn’t find it advisable to try and achieve a settlement for a much lesser sum.” Despite this warning, the remaining C.R. Bard cases are being prepared for trial. Attorneys for C.R. Bard recently asked Judge Goodwin to delay the upcoming trial by one month, arguing that his comments regarding a settlement unfairly prejudiced the jury pool. Judge Goodwin denied the defendant’s application, finding the trials should proceed as planned.
If you or a loved one has experienced any injury from the use of a vaginal mesh implant, please contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against a manufacturer of the vaginal mesh device.