Product Liability Lawyer Blog

May 12, 2014

Stryker Prepares for Thousands of Pending Cases

Stryker has set aside $133 million in order to defend or settle cases arising from defective hip implant products. Problem products include the Stryker Rejuvenate and the Stryker ABG II. Both products contain metal components, although they are not traditional metal-on-metal hip implant systems.

Unlike most hip replacement products, which have a metal acetabular cup and a metal femoral head, Stryker products have four parts including a femoral stem, metal neck, ball and cup. This creative design does not make Stryker products any safer than other metal-on-metal devices and Stryker faces accusations that the company is responsible for serious damage that patients experienced after hip replacement procedures. Victims affected by Stryker products can pursue their own claim for compensation and should speak with a defective hip implant lawyer in Massachusetts for legal help.
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May 11, 2014

C.R. Bard’s Long History With Vaginal Mesh Litigation

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

C.R. Bard has the distinction of having lost the first vaginal mesh implant case that a jury decided in the United States. The company is one of several major manufacturers with thousands of pending lawsuits claiming that design defects in transvaginal mesh products are responsible for causing serious injuries and complications for women.

Women with C.R. Bard vaginal mesh products should consult with a transvaginal mesh trial attorney for assistance in taking legal action and pursuing a damage claim. C.R. Bard’s pattern of losing cases has continued mostly unabated from the first major claim against the company and it seems clear that juries are generally finding that the company should bear the blame when women experience harm due to vaginal mesh.
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May 9, 2014

DePuy & Wright Medical Have Similar Products & Similar Failure Rates

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

DePuy is one of the leading manufacturers of hip replacement devices, but unfortunately is also the manufacturer with the highest failure rates. DePuy products including the Pinnacle Hip Replacement System and the ASR XL System were both designed for younger people undergoing hip replacements and were both made of all metal-components.

Wright Medical, which controls around two percent of the market for knee and hip resurfacing devices in the U.S., also made a metal-on-metal product that was very similar to the DePuy ASR. The Wright Medical product was called the Conserve Plus, and was part of a larger line of Conserve metal-on-metal hip implants.

Both Wright Medical and DePuy are facing thousands of lawsuits related to these metal-on-metal devices. Patients who had a hip implant and who are now experiencing problems should consult with a defective hip implant lawyer help pursuing a damage claim.
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May 6, 2014

Spinal Implants Causing Paralysis, According to Recent Lawsuits

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Spinal implants, like those manufactured by Boston Scientific Corp., Medtronic and St. Jude Medical Inc., are geared toward helping patients cope with chronic back pain or nerve damage.

But a recent Wall Street Journal report reveals that in far too many cases, patients are emerging from the procedure unable to feel at all. Some suffer from partial paralysis. Others have reported experiencing progressive quadriparesis, which is a gradual weakening of each of the four limbs. Other patients report total paraplegia, and are now confined to a wheelchair.

Boston product liability attorneys know that while manufacturers are staunchly defending these devices, pointing to the fact that some 50,000 spinal implants are conducted annually, no one is eager to slow down and reevaluate the safety of a product that has become an increasingly lucrative aspect of these firms’ business.
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May 3, 2014

How Boston Scientific Helped Start the Transvaginal Mesh Mess

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

By February 2013, the Food and Drug Administration had issued 95 post-market study orders to 34 manufacturers of vaginal mesh products designed to treat pelvic organ prolapse and another 13 post-market study orders to seven manufacturers of mini-slings. The FDA was prompted to issue these orders by thousands of women experiencing very serious complications from vaginal mesh.

Many of the women affected by mesh products have had to undergo multiple revision surgeries. Many have also begun to take legal action against major mesh manufacturers including Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Division, American Medical Systems, and C.R. Bard. Lawsuits have largely resulted in verdicts or settlements for the plaintiffs, including an Atlantic City case awarding a vaginal mesh patient $11.1 million in damages from Johnson & Johnson as well as a West Virginia case in which the plaintiff received $2 million.
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May 1, 2014

Social Media Campaign Blasts J & J for Transvaginal Mesh Lies

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A new social media campaign, a.k.a. Johnson and Johnson Hurts Women, is blasting the manufacturer for lies that have resulted in serious injuries and harm caused by transvaginal mesh products. The website calls for contributors to demand an investigation against the company and to hold Johnson & Johnson accountable for the reckless conduct that injured thousands of women nationwide. According to the campaign, Johnson and Johnson continues to put profits over safety in the marketing and distribution of transvaginal mesh products.

Organizers of the website are asking employees to be whistleblowers and for investors to divest. It is also calling for supporters to sign a petition for the Attorney General, Eric Holder. Our Boston transvaginal mesh attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of individuals who have suffered harm because of dangerous or defective products. We are committed to safety and health and urge any women who have suffered from transvaginal mesh injuries to step forward and take action against negligent products manufacturers.
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May 1, 2014

Endo Settles Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits for $830 Million

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Without admitting liability or fault, Endo International agreed that it would pay $830 million to resolve litigation brought by women who say they were harmed by the transvaginal mesh devices made by its subsidiary, American Medical Systems.

Our transvaginal mesh lawyers in Massachusetts recognize this is a significant development, as Endo was one of several large medical devicemakers to be confronted with complaints from tens of thousands of woman who had the devices implanted to treat a range of conditions, including stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

The $830 million settlement by Endo follows a $55 million settlement by the company last year to resolve an undisclosed number of cases. It’s not clear exactly how may lawsuits this settlement covers, but we know there are about 22,000 pending against both American Medical and Endo as of the end of February. In a statement released shortly after the settlement announcement, Endo representatives indicated that this agreement will cover a “substantial majority” of pending transvaginal mesh litigation against both firms.
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April 30, 2014

Hypogonadism and the Risks of Testosterone Therapy

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As men age, their levels of testosterone can decrease, resulting in lower muscle mass, lack of energy, and other physical symptoms that may go beyond the expected symptoms of aging. While all men will go through some loss of testosterone, other men may be diagnosed with a medical condition known as hypogonadism, a syndrome that up until now has gone undiagnosed.

According to medical reports, hypogonadism is associated with Klinefelter syndrome, a medical condition that occurs in 1 in 500-600 boys. For those who suffer from the condition, hormone replacement therapies can bring testosterone up to normal levels.

With an increased awareness of congenital hypogonadism, researchers and doctor are exploring potential treatment options. Testosterone therapy has been a common form of treatment for hypogonadism, but it has also been overprescribed and often used by men who do not suffer from hypogonadism. This may a significant risk of cardiovascular issues, including heart attack. Our medical malpractice attorneys in Boston are experienced in investigating complex products liability cases and in pursuing financial compensation for victims. We understand the risks of testosterone therapy and are dedicated to raising awareness and helping prevent future injuries associated with dangerous drugs.
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April 25, 2014

Study Confirms Alarming Failure Rate of Stryker Rejuvenate

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Nationwide, patients, doctors, and manufacturers are becoming more aware of the potential risks of knee and hip implants. For the victims of the defective medical devices, the realization may come after severe pain, complications, and the need for reconstructive or rehabilitative surgeries. In a new medical study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, researchers conclude that the Stryker Rejuvenate systems had high rates of failure between June of 2009 and July of 2012. During this time, 28% of patients who received hip implants had to return for revision surgery. According to the authors, the patients of the study had their surgery performed by an experienced and skilled surgeon.

Patients who have suffered from hip replacement complications may entitled to significant compensation. Our Boston hip implant attorneys are dedicated to raising awareness and to helping our clients move forward after a defective hip replacement. We understand that significant pain, loss, and expense of defective medical devices and will take every necessary step to protect your rights and interests. Though the risks of Stryker hip implants have been known for years, this study confirms the alarming rate at which patients suffer failure.
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April 21, 2014

FDA Approves Drug to Prevent Pulmonary Embolism for Implant Patients

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As an increasing number of Americans are faced with the difficult decision of whether to pursue hip or knee replacements, an increasing number of cases involving complications. This has given rise to hundreds of thousands of lawsuits, millions in medical expenses, and ongoing health issues for patients. Now Bristol-Meyers Squibb has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new supplemental drug for deep vain thrombosis, which could result in pulmonary embolism in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.

The new drug, known as Eliquis is intended to prevent deep pain thrombosis in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement. Advocates for the drug claim that the approval is a significant milestone for the medication and for the patients who suffer from additional health risks associated with knee and hip implants. Our Boston products liability attorneys are dedicated to helping victims or defective or dangerous products recover just compensation for their injuries. In addition to pursuing financial claims, we are committed to raising awareness surrounding the complications associated with medical device injury.
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