January 21, 2015 — Mentor Corp., a unit of Johnson & Johnson, has agreed to pay settlements in about 111 lawsuits involving injuries from ObTape, according to Law360.
The terms of the settlement agreement were not disclosed. Women involved in the settlement have asked a federal judge overseeing the litigation to approve a settlement fund trust to hold, manage, and distribute the funds.
All of the women were implanted with ObTape, which is a type of pelvic sling designed to treat incontinence and organ prolapse.
Unfortunately, the edges of the product eroded into bodily tissues and through the vaginal wall. This resulted in complications like infection, extrusion, perforation, abscess, sepsis, and more. Most women with these complications required corrective surgery.
Over 700 women have filed lawsuits against Mentor for injuries caused by ObTape. As of January 15, about 454 cases are still pending and 304 cases have been settled or dismissed.
Ethicon Inc., another unit of Johnson & Johnson, is facing about 22,721 lawsuits involving various vaginal mesh products. Only 600 cases have been resolved or dismissed.
The federal judge overseeing about 60,000 vaginal mesh lawsuits in West Virginia has urged some device-makers to consider settlements, especially considering potentially billions of dollars in jury verdicts. Many attorneys and their clients are hoping the long-running litigation finally comes to a close in 2015.
Do I have a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting vaginal mesh induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with complications or needed surgery, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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