Four Boston Scientific lawsuits for bellwether trials

September 17th, 2013

Four Boston Scientific transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been chosen as bellwether trials, to commence in 2014. The trials could play a large role in determining the outcomes of similar mesh lawsuits filed against the company.

Boston Scientific is one of 6 companies facing more than 22,500 transvaginal mesh implant lawsuits alleging that the company released a dangerous device. Many of the women complain of severe transvaginal mesh complications, including tissue damage and internal bleeding when the body rejects the mesh.

Other transvaginal mesh side effects include limited mobility, mesh erosion, severe pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse. The products were approved under the 510(k) method, which allowed the companies to skip significant portions of testing by claiming the devices were very similar to something already on the market.

 

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Mesothelioma conference to take place after National Mesothelioma Awareness Day

regional conference on September 27th, one day after National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. The conference will take place in New York City and will focus on treatments, research, occupational risks and legal ramifications.

The conference comes a day after the 10th annual National Mesothelioma Awareness Day on September 26th, an event originally spearheaded by MARF. The foundation is a non-profit which aims to spread mesothelioma awareness and raise money for mesothelioma research funding.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is most strongly linked to asbestos exposure. The deadly disease can take decades to develop, often attacking the lungs or abdominal cavity.

 

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Engineering student invents Mirena IUD-inserting gun

for a class project. The goal of the device is to simplify the insertion process of the birth control device while limiting organ perforations or undetected expulsions.

Mirena intrauterine devices have faced increasing scrutiny related to potential side effects, including organ perforation, decreased libido, pain and ectopic pregnancy. Nearly 60,000 women have filed IUD and Mirena complaints with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 2008.

Mirena manufacturer Bayer Pharmaceuticals could face thousands of Mirena IUD lawsuits from women who allege that the device caused serious problems. Some women charge Bayer with knowingly withholding information about serious Mirena side effects.

 

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FDA warns Fresenius to improve standards in facilities

September 26th, 2013

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned international medical giant Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) to improve its operations and standards at a blood-bagging facility in Puerto Rico. The FDA’s complaints dealt specifically with the facility’s labeling procedures and how it was dealing with customer complaints.

Fresenius has been in trouble with the FDA before, particularly concerning its recalled dialysis concentrates GranuFlo and NaturaLyte. The products were linked to severe adverse events, but FMC did not disclose that information to the FDA until the administration received a leaked internal Fresenius memo detailing the risks.

GranuFlo and NaturaLyte have been linked to sudden cardiac arrest, stroke and other severe complications, according to the memo. Several patients have filed GranuFlo lawsuits alleging the company acted negligently after nearly 1,000 patients suffered GranuFlo side effects in their dialysis clinics.

 

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Canadian women get transvaginal mesh removed in U.S.

October 3rd, 2013

Five women from Manitoba have had their transvaginal mesh removed in the United States since 2012. The Manitoba government paid for the women to travel to the U.S. and have revision surgery performed because no doctors in the province were qualified to remove the faulty transvaginal mesh.

The use of transvaginal mesh to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence has been widely criticized, particularly in Canada, where the country continues to purchase and offer the mesh surgeries. A recent study revealed no benefits to using transvaginal mesh, despite increased risks.

Thousands of women have filed transvaginal mesh lawsuits against several manufacturers. The surgical mesh lawsuits allege that the companies released defective devices, that lead to transvaginal mesh side effects, including pain, internal bleeding, tissue damage and organ perforation caused by device migration.

 

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Zithromax (Z-Pak) linked to liver failure and other serious complications

October 3rd, 2013

Hissey Kientz LLP is announcing a new practice area for individuals suffering from severe liver side effects and other complications after taking Zithromax, more commonly known as Z-Pak. Zithromax is a popular antibiotic manufactured by Pfizer and prescribed for treatment of mild to moderate infections.

Zithromax users have reported experiencing liver damage including elevated liver enzymes, jaundice and liver failure. Some patients that have experienced Z-Pak liver complications have undergone liver transplant surgery. Zithromax liver damage has even led to death.

Zithromax studies have also linked the antibiotic to Stevens Johnson Syndrome, a  serious rash that affects the skin and mucous membranes. Stevens Johnson Syndrome can lead to permanent injuries including blindness, lung damage and damage to the esophagus and mucous membranes.

If you or a loved one used Z-Pak and experienced liver failure or other complications, contact the lawyers at Hissey Kientz, LLP to learn more about your legal rights. You can reach us by calling toll-free at 8-555-HELPYOU, or by filling out the free case evaluation form to the right of this page.

 

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More than 39,000 Australian women received potentially dangerous transvaginal mesh

October 10th, 2013

implants to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Of those, 390 have joined a growing potential class action transvaginal mesh lawsuit, which could be the largest product class action in Australia’s history.

Women who received the device have described the surgical mesh side effects like

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