Update on Ethicon MDL in U.S. District Court: Over 3000 Plaintiffs Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits Consolidated into MDL

Update on Ethicon MDL in U.S. District Court: Over 3000 Plaintiffs Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits Consolidated into MDL Approximately 3397 cases have been consolidated into the Ethicon multi-district litigation (MDL) being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The Ethicon MDL is being presided over by U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin.

In the last pre-trial court order issued by Judge Goodwin, a minor update was given pertaining to the format of the Plaintiff Profile Form, which are documents that release a plaintiff’s medical records for examination.

The next Status Conference in the Ethicon MDL will be held on March 21, 2013.

The Ethicon MDL is being heard in the same U.S. District Court as four other MDLs pertaining to vaginal mesh manufacturers. Each of these vaginal mesh MDLs is being presided over by Judge Joseph R. Goodwin. The four other vaginal mesh MDLs include cases brought against C.R. Bard, Inc., American Medical Systems, Inc., Boston Scientific Corp., and Coloplast Corp.

Though many decisions made in one vaginal mesh MDL sometimes impact the other vaginal mesh MDLs being heard by Judge Goodwin, the most recent pre-trial order delivered in the Ethicon MDL pertains only to this specific MDL.

Ethicon, Inc. is an arm of Johnson & Johnson, which developed and manufactured the Gynecare Prolift vaginal mesh. Plaintiffs in the Ethicon MDL received an implant of the Gynecare Prolift in order to correct conditions known as stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The Gynecare Prolift vaginal mesh has been connected to serious health complications, including infections, vaginal erosion, organ perforation, pelvic region pain, painful intercourse, and vaginal discharge and bleeding.

Johnson & Johnson announced in June 2012 that it would pull four of its vaginal mesh products from the worldwide market. These four vaginal mesh products include the Gynecare Prolift as well as the Prosima Pelvic Floor Repair System, the Prolift+M Gynemesh M, and the Gynecare TVT Secur System.

When discussing its reasons for pulling its surgical mesh off the market, a Johnson & Johnson spokesperson speaking with Reuters stated that Johnson & Johnson was discontinuing sales as opposed to recalling the vaginal mesh products. No reference was made by Johnson & Johnson to the health complications, especially vaginal erosion, linked with the use of their vaginal mesh products.

Lawyers at Carey Danis & Lowe have been examining Gynecare Prolift cases as the Ethicon MDL in West Virginia continues to grow larger and move farther into pre-trial proceedings. During this examination process, our lawyers have been offering free evaluations of Gynecare Prolift cases.

If you or someone you love has been injured after receiving an implant of Ethicon’s Gynecare Prolift vaginal mesh, contact a lawyer at Carey Danis & Lowe at 800.721.2519 for more information about filing a Gynecare Prolift vaginal mesh lawsuit.