C.R. Bard’s Avaulta vaginal mesh devices (including Avaulta Plus, Solo, or Biosynthetic) are implanted in women who suffer from weakened pelvic muscles, which can cause Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) or Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). Although the Avaulta vaginal mesh has been linked to severe, life-threatening complications, it has never been recalled. Now, more than one thousand women have filed vaginal mesh lawsuits against the manufacturers of these devices.
Do I Have an Avaulta Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one has been injured by the Avaulta vaginal mesh, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing an Avaulta Vaginal Mesh lawsuit.
UPDATE
July 25, 2012 — Christine Scott and her husband have been awarded a $5.5 million judgment for their Avaulta vaginal mesh lawsuit. A jury in Bakersfield, California found that C.R. Bard’s negligence made them responsible for Scott’s injuries and her husband’s loss of consortium. Women continue to file Avaulta vaginal mesh lawsuits seeking compensation and justice for their injuries. There are currently 650 vaginal mesh lawsuits pending in federal court.
Avaulta Vaginal Mesh
C.R. Bard is the manufacturer of several types of Avaulta vaginal mesh, including the following:
- Avaulta Plus
- Avaulta Solo
- Avaulta Biosynthetic
These hammock-like surgical mesh devices are implanted in women who have weakened pelvic muscles, a common complication of pregnancy. Vaginal mesh is used to treat Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), a condition in which organs protrude into the vagina, and also Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), a condition in which the urethra opens when a woman laughs, coughs, or sneezes.
The Avaulta vaginal mesh is designed to be implanted under the vaginal skin. Over time, the body heals and incorporates the mesh into the tissue, which reinforces the vaginal wall.
Vaginal Mesh and the FDA
Unfortunately, the Avaulta vaginal mesh has some serious side effects. From 2005 through 2008, the FDA received more than 1000 reports of severe complications — including perforation of organs, severe scarring, nerve damage, chronic pain, infection, and more. One study found that 10% of people with vaginally-inserted pelvic mesh suffered a severe complication which required additional surgery within one year.
In July of 2011, the FDA again warned patients and their doctors about the risks of vaginal mesh, saying that complications were “not rare.” They advised doctors and patients to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of the device, and consider alternative treatments if possible.
Despite these safety warnings, the FDA has never issued a recall of the vaginal mesh devices. However, due to waning popularity of the devices, Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit recently announced that it would voluntarily withdraw all four of its transvaginal mesh devices.
Some women are shocked to discover that most vaginal mesh devices were approved by the FDA based on little safety information and no well-controlled scientific studies. Via the FDA’s 510(k) approval process, “similar” devices can seek approval without conducting safety studies. Unfortunately, the “similar” device was a vaginal hernia mesh from Boston Scientific that was recalled in the 1990s amid safety concerns.
Side Effects of Avaulta Vaginal Mesh
Avaulta vaginal mesh side effects may include:
- Perforation of organs
- Nerve damage
- Pain (which can interfere with intercourse and decrease quality of life)
- Erosion of the device into vaginal tissue
- Painful urination
- Life-threatening infection
- Bleeding
- Vaginal shortening, tightening, or disfigurement
- Psychological damage
Avaulta Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit
C.R. Bard faces nearly 400 vaginal mesh lawsuits from women who were seriously injured by its Avaulta vaginal mesh devices. In total, there are more than 1000 vaginal mesh lawsuits against four manufacturers of vaginal mesh.
The Avaulta vaginal mesh lawsuits were consolidated before one federal judge in 2010, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Virginia. In a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL), each plaintiff’s case remains independent, unlike a class action lawsuit. Lawyers are currently preparing the first bellwether cases, which are set for trial in February 2013.
Recently, the judge in charge of the Avaulta vaginal mesh lawsuits extended the deadline for lawyers to exchange information and prepare the first cases. This is because hundreds of vaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed in the last few months. If you were injured by Avaulta vaginal mesh, you may still have time to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, decreased quality of life, and more.
Do I have an Avaulta Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free Avaulta vaginal mesh lawsuit review.
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