After winning the first two trials over injuries allegedly caused by its Obtryx sling, Boston Scientific has been ordered to pay $73 million to a plaintiff in a Texas state court case. A Bloomberg story reports that this is the first award against this particular company because of a vaginal-mesh implant.
Boston Scientific was found liable for defectively designing its vaginal mesh sling. The plaintiff suffered from minor urine leakage when she received the Obtryx sling, and was left with constant pain after its insertion. The jury awarded $23 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages. Punitive damages were awarded based on a finding of gross negligence in the company’s handling of risks and injuries from its sling device. Among the evidence presented at trial was a company email that warned salesmen to ignore the results of a company-funded study about the risks of pain and injury from the product.
The company still faces more than 12,000 lawsuits alleging that the mesh causes erosion within the body, which can cause organ damage and severe pain. Some patients find that they are unable to sit comfortably or exercise due to complications. In such situations, doctors may recommend surgery to remove the device.
Boston Scientific is one of over 30 mesh manufacturers facing transvaginal mesh lawsuits for the injuries these devices cause. They have been ordered, by the FDA, to study rates of organ damage resulting from their products. Other makers include Johnson & Johnson and C.R. Bard.
One company, Endo International Pic (ENDP) reached an agreement to pay $830 million to resolve about 20,000 lawsuits over its vaginal-mesh device. J&J and Bard have already been ordered to pay over $13 million to injured plaintiffs by New Jersey and West Virginia juries.
Litigation is ongoing over vaginal mesh devices and the related injuries. The transvaginal mesh lawyers at Lopez McHugh are experienced and ready to discuss a vaginal mesh lawsuit with you. If you or a loved one suffered an injury from a transvaginal mesh, contact a qualified Lopez McHugh attorney today at (877) 737-8525.
