The manufacturer of the pelvic mesh product, Obtryx, has failed in its effort to appeal awards totaling $18.5 million to four different women in a product liability trial. Boston Scientific was ordered to pay each plaintiff an amount of up to $4.25 million in compensation for their injuries after receiving the Obtryx device.
How Did This Happen?
Obtryx is one of many transvaginal mesh implants that are currently in the market following approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the early 2000s. The devices were approved for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in women. These mesh implants have been widely embraced by doctors as a long term solution for women who suffer from these often embarrassing and debilitating conditions.
The transvaginal mesh implants were deemed to be Class II products by the FDA. This meant that requirements for manufacturers to get products approved were not as stringent as long as they could show that the new product was similar to one that had already been approved for the market.
Injuries
Boston Scientific, like many of the 40 other manufacturers of transvaginal mesh products, is now facing over 16,000 lawsuits for injuries allegedly caused by its products.
Some complications that have been experienced by victims include:
- Perforation of organs – defective vaginal slings have been shown to puncture organs. Many women have complained of perforation of the vagina, bladder, rectum, uterus and bowels.
- Erosion of mesh – The mesh has been shown to erode and protrude from the walls of the vagina causing pain
- The development of severe infections, such as urinary tract infections and vaginal infections.
Lawsuits
The company made $7.6 billion from the distribution of these devices and stands to lose a lot of this revenue in compensation for injuries.
In addition to the 16,000 lawsuits already pending, the company may find itself facing many more claims following the 2015 $18.5 million in jury awards to the women who had suffered complications after receiving the Obtryx device. The company appealed the decision. However, following a 10-day trial, the judge ordered the company to proceed with the payment of the compensation to the victims.
More lawsuits are being filed against the company for injuries suffered as a result of the Obtryx pelvic mesh implant. If you or someone you know has suffered complications because of this device, get in touch with an experienced transvaginal mesh attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your claim.
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