The Ethicon division was created by J&J in order to expand the horizon of products offered to include medical devices. The Gynecare division of Ethicon, Inc. was established in order to specialize in the creation and marketing of women’s health devices, including vaginal mesh implants. However, in recent years these Ethicon mesh products have become the target of hundreds of personal injury and product liability lawsuit claims. In fact, nearly three hundred lawsuits are pending against J&J’s Ethicon division alleging that the mesh implants are responsible for a large number of complications and injuries. One 65 year-old New York woman says that here Johnson & Johnson mesh has left her unable to work, have sexual intercourse with her husband, or even sleep through the night. She believes the regulations failed to protect her and that adequate testing was not required prior to the device being used in her treatment.
FDA J&J Ethicon Mesh Warning
The United States Food and Drug Administration has issued several warnings of escalating severity regarding vaginal mesh products, including those offered by J&J’s Ethicon. Earlier this year the FDA reclassified vaginal mesh as a Class III device, meaning that it carries with it the highest degree of risk. The FDA has also identified the following Ethicon Mesh complications:
Vaginal Mesh Erosion: occurs when the mesh implant protrudes through vaginal wall. Very painful and often requires more than one revision surgery in order to treat. Sometimes vaginal mesh exposure is never able to be fully treated and is permanently detrimental to the patient’s quality of life.
Vaginal Pain: vaginal pain following surgery with a J&J Ethicon Mesh product can be an indication of several different mesh complications. In addition to mesh erosion, severe pain may indicate mesh contraction or mesh shrinkage, which can result in serious vaginal scarring and disfiguration. Sometimes this pain is also accompanied by vaginal discharge or bleeding.
Organ Perforation: also a serious complication associated with J&J Ethicon mesh. The following organs may be perforated by vaginal mesh implants: vaginal apex, bowel, colon, rectum, urethra, and blood vessels.
Additional Ethicon Mesh complications include reports of urinary problems, emotional problems, neuromuscular issues, and reoccurrence of pelvic organ prolapse. These various side effects and complications have been cited in a large number of Ethicon Mesh Lawsuit claims.
File a J&J Ethicon Mesh Lawsuit: Speak with a Lawyer
If you have or a loved one have experienced any of the previously mentioned mesh complications following treatment with a J&J Ethicon Mesh product, call the Willis Law Firm today. We may be able to help you secure financial compensation for your injuries. At present we are reviewing cases nationwide; all mesh clients are represented on a fee contingent basis. If we don’t recover for you, you don’t have to pay.