C.R. Bard has been in the transvaginal mesh cases from the very beginning. I really believe they will try to put together a global settlement that will resolve more than just the cases with pending trial dates. But in the meantime, Bard will do what it has done from the beginning of this litigation: wage war. But facts are stubborn things which brings us back to the same theme: these cases will settle.
Bellwether Verdict
The case was a good test case although it was a case that was actually pretty favorable to the defendant because the injuries were not as serious as they are in some other cases. It is the classic design defect/failure to warn claims against Bard’s Avaulta Plus, a synthetic mesh product designed to treat pelvic organ prolapse. The woman’s lawsuit claimed that that the arms contained in the mesh device, the small pore size used in the mesh, and the use of polypropylene to make the device were design defects. On their failure to warn claim, the plaintiff argued that Bard inadequately warned about the risk and severity of the complications Plaintiff eventually experienced. Plaintiff also argued the obvious: Bard did not adequately warn of the risks. (Does anyone really disagree with this premise? I don’t know how they argue that one.)
Bard sought a new trial after the verdict, arguing the case never should have gone to the jury. Comically, defense counsel actually conceded that many of these issues appropriately went to the jury. But they did a takesey-backsie (is that how you spell it?) on it arguing that there was not enough design defect evidence to go to the jury.
The court found that even if Bard had not already conceded on the issue, the case – specifically the design defect case – should have gone to a jury. Under Georgia law – which is the law this West Virginia judge applied to the case – all a plaintiff must show is that “the device did not operate as intended and this was the proximate cause of [the plaintiff’s] injuries.”
The court also sided with the Plaintiff on the failure to warn claim. Bard made an interesting contention on this one. It claimed that its duty was limited to warning about possible complications, not their rate or severity. What a depressing argument. So, under King C.R. Bard’s rule, you could theoretically just note a complication on the insert and not mention the likelihood of injury, even it the risk is a 100% certainty. What a depressing world view.
Finally, on the issue of punitive damages, the court found that a reasonable jury could have found clear and convincing evidence that the company’s conduct showed “an entire want of care raising the presumption of conscious indifference to the consequences.” Why? Because Bard executives were told point-blank not to use polypropylene resin for permanent implantation in the human body. They did it anyway.
Plaintiff’s lawyers did a great job in this case, making sure that every possible objection Bard could have to keep out the Plaintiff’s evidence was met. I’m surprised the company let this case go to trial. At some point, you have to admit you did something wrong and try to get the best settlements that you can. If this device maker does not, it could get a lot worse for them. Women have wanted these cases resolved – and justice – for a long time. It is the right thing for Bard – even if only for their own interest – to do and make an offer for a fair resolution to these lawsuits.
History of Avaulta Plus
The Avaulta Plus transvaginal mesh is a synthetic surgical mesh designed to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. However, complications and adverse effects related to the device led to numerous lawsuits against the manufacturer.
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles weaken, causing one or more pelvic organs to descend or prolapse into the vagina. Stress urinary incontinence refers to involuntary urine leakage during physical activities that put pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, laughing, or exercising. Both conditions can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life, and surgical intervention using transvaginal mesh was thought to be an effective solution.
However, in the years following the introduction of transvaginal mesh products like Avaulta Plus, many women experienced severe complications, including erosion, infection, bleeding, pain, organ perforation, and urinary problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began receiving reports of these complications and, in 2008, issued a public health notification regarding the potential risks associated with transvaginal mesh products.
In July 2011, the FDA updated its warning, stating that complications linked to transvaginal mesh implants for POP repair were not rare, and the use of the mesh might even expose patients to greater risks than traditional non-mesh repair procedures. The FDA also ordered manufacturers, including C.R. Bard, to conduct post-market surveillance studies to assess the safety and effectiveness of their transvaginal mesh products.
Contact Us
If you have experienced transvaginal mesh side effects or complications with Avaulta or any other vaginal mesh product, you may be entitled to money damages for your injuries. Contact an experienced attorney at 800-553-8082, or go online for a free case review form. We are here to help you.
More Information
- A very different view