Product Liability Lawyer Blog

May 6, 2014

Spinal Implants Causing Paralysis, According to Recent Lawsuits

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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April 18, 2014

Jury Awards $6 Billion in Punitive Damages Against Takeda

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A federal jury has ordered Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and Eli Lilly & Co. to pay a combined $9 billion in punitive damages after finding that the companies hid the risks of cancer in their diabetes drug trial held in the United States. This makes the jury award the seventh-largest in U.S. history. The Osaka-Japan based company may be forced to pay the final judgment in the case, even covering the $3 billion ordered paid by its partner company Eli Lilly in Indianapolis. The company lost 5.2 percent of its shares, the biggest drop since last year.

This giant award is a signal to other companies that juries and courts are willing to hold them accountable for egregious deceit of consumers. Our defective drug attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims who have suffered because of dangerous and defective products, or failure to warn. We take an informed and strategic approach to understand the facts of every case and will aggressively pursue relevant legal claims against liable companies. In addition to advocating for our clients, we are abreast of products liability legal developments, locally and nationally.
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April 16, 2014

Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Heart Attack Linked to Testosterone Therapy

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Testosterone therapy is increasingly under scrutiny for the cardiovascular risks posed patients. In a recent case, a family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Testim gel manufacturer after a 61-year-old man suffered a heart attack and died after suffering negative effects of testosterone replacement therapy. The lawsuit was filed by the family of the victim against Auxilium Pharmaceuticals in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Due to the rising number of injuries and deaths related to testosterone therapy, there have been nearly 100 similar cases filed against manufacturers nationwide.

Hormone therapy has been marketed to men who have suffered side effects of decreased levels of testosterone with aging. The condition, also known as “Low T” has been treated with prescriptions of Testim and other testosterone therapy drugs. With the widespread marketing and growing popularity of these drugs, sales have reached approximately $2 billion in recent years. Our Boston dangerous drugs attorney are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims. We stay abreast of injury trends in pharmaceuticals and are dedicated to bringing justice to families.
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April 11, 2014

Age Increases Pelvic Organ Prolapse Risk but TVM May Not be the Answer

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a serious medical condition that affects many women. Recent articles indicate that as many as 50 percent of all women between the ages of 50 and 79 experience some type of prolapse in the pelvic organs. As women age, the risk of prolapse significantly increases and can cause bothersome symptoms that lead women to seek medical treatment.

Vaginal mesh products became a popular product for treating POP as well as another condition called stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The mesh products, including vaginal slings, were used to provide support to the organs that were beginning to prolapse.
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