J&J Faces Transvaginal Mesh Class Action Lawsuit in Canada
A class action lawsuit has been filed in Canada against Johnson & Johnson over problems with its transvaginal mesh products, which have been linked to reports of severe pelvic pain, infection and erosion of the mesh through the vagina.
The transvaginal mesh class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of two Canadian women who suffered severe leg pain after being implanted with surgical mesh made by Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries, Ethicon and Gynecare.
According to allegations raised in the complaint, the manufacturers failed to adequately warn women about the potential side effects of transvaginal mesh, which is used to repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Hundreds of similar vaginal mesh and bladder sling lawsuits are already pending in the United States against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers. Although the federal transvaginal mesh cases have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings, as part of an MDL or multidistrict litigation, the lawsuits are not considered a class action lawsuit in the United States.
The Canadian suit was filed on behalf of Carol Kouyomjian and Diane McLaughlin, but the case seeks to attain class action status to represent all women in Canada who have been injured by Ethicon or Gynecare mesh products.
Both women allege that after they received the vaginal mesh in 2006, sold under the Gynemesh, Prolene Mesh and Prolift labels in Canada, they suffered intense pains and have been told that removing the mesh could cause further complications. Kouyoumjian indicates that the problems cost her a nursing job because she could no longer stand for long periods of time due to the intense pain.
In addition to Ethicon/Gynecare mesh lawsuits brought in the United States, similar lawsuits over Bard Avaulta mesh, Boston Scientific mesh and AMS pelvic mesh have been filed in state and federal courts throughout the country in recent years.
Public awareness about the risk of the vaginal mesh problems increased last year, after the FDA issued warnings about an increasing number of adverse event reports associated with the products.
In July 2011, the FDA issued transvaginal mesh warning, indicating that they have been unable to find any evidence that transvaginal mesh kits used for repair of pelvic organ prolapse provide any benefit over other available means of treatment.
6 comments
My mother died this month as a result of the mesh that was implanted in her approximately 10 years ago. The original operation never healed and for the last 9 years was her body was fighting the infection. The scar
which required a change of bandage at least once a day enlarged from the size of a pea to the size of a quarter and required a nurse to change the bandages twice a day. Mom required blood transfusions to maintain her strength just to fight the infection. She was forced to sell her home which she had lived in for 57 years. My sister, who lives in scarborough was forced to take early retirement to car for my mother. Mom suffered for many years as her health deteriorated more each year.
I had a prolapse repair done 6 years ago and was told prolene mesh was used…I too have pelvic, leg pain and a large abdominal hernia which I think happened because of the mesh… I am afraid now to have surgery for the hernia…My whole life has changed because of this…
Omg the operation was a nightmare.I had severe infection for months.Had to be catherised 3x’s at the hospital.And cant have normal relations. Im sorry to hear about your mom Martin.
Intense leg pain, swelling, inability to drain bladder on a consistent basis, atleast 8 urinary tract Infections a year. Symptoms similar to Fibro, peripheral neuropathy like pains in my legs, quick intense swelling (requiring fluid pills to drain fluid, catheters on a consistent basic to drain urine, general unwellness, skin lesions and overall general tiredness, elevated sugars. To top it all off I am a Type 1 Insulin dependant diabetic (25 years). Patiently waiting for an apology an d settlement. As with everyone else, I put my health In the hands of J&J. What an Incredible betrayal. Theresa McIntosh
I have suffered for the past 7 years plus with bladder drainage into the vagina, I have mesh erosion into the vaginal canal that causes injury to my husband ! I have been too embarrassed to tell my doctor.
I Had a hernia in my stomach which came about after anyersyum surgery repair of my abdomen I saw the Toronto news recently and came to know about two ladies who had stomach hernia operations also and they are not at all happy about the mesh that was put into their surgery’s they have nothing but pain and I believe the hernias have returned. I had hernis surgery November 29th 2016 and I have pain every day and the hernia bulge looks about the same as it did prior to surgery can anybody advise me on what to do.
thank you.
Dominic