In America, a Mississippi woman has alleged that she suffered injuries caused by Ethicon Inc’s trans- vaginal mesh device. The patient alleged the injuries were as a result of Ethicon’s Pro-lift and TVT Sling and that the products were defective. According to her complaint she was implanted with a Pro-lift TVT sling on the 20th of November 2008. Her lawsuit alleged that the device makers knew about the risks associated with the device and failed to warn her, her doctor and consumers of the danger of it.
She is suing for negligence on three counts of strict liability (design defect, manufacturing defect and failing to warn) together with breach of an expressed and implied warranty, fraudulent concealment and is seeking punitive damages. Health Authorities in the USA have said that the most common complications associated with trans- vaginal mesh in pelvic organ prolapse (POP) may include :
- Mass erosion throughput the vagina.
- Pain.
- Infection.
- Bleeding.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
- Organ perforation.
- Urinary problems.
Recently in the United States, the first trans-vaginal mesh device lawsuit lead to a $11 million verdict in favour of the Plaintiff and was the first of 4,000 Gynecare Pro-lift cases expected to go to trial. Johnson & Johnson were ordered to pay $3.35 million dollars in compensatory damages and $7.76 million dollars in punitive damages.
