Endo Reaches Multimillion Dollar Settlement in Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit

Vaginal mesh lawsuits across the country are far from over, with manufacturers facing ongoing litigation alleging that the products are flawed and harmful. In the latest development in cases against Endo Pharmaceuticals, the company has agreed to a $54.4 million settlement for an unspecified number of claims. Endo faced lawsuits and multidistrict litigation alleging that its mesh products damaged the health of multiple women.

FDA reports and further investigation revealed that the product was often linked to complications, and in some cases required surgical removal.

The agreement, described as a “compromise,” was made between American Medical Systems, Inc. a subsidiary of Endo, and plaintiffs in an unknown number of lawsuits. As part of the agreement, AMS must obtain releases from no less than 95% of claimants who were named in the agreement before a deadline of October 12 2013.

AMS continues to face legal action over its transvaginal mesh products and was among a group of companies ordered by the FDA in 2012 to carry out post-market studies into complications. The company also reported in March that it estimates overall litigation costs and liability for TVM cases will total around $160 million.

Other companies facing lawsuits include C. R. bard Inc, Johnson & Johnson, and Boston Scientific Corp.

Transvaginal mesh is designed to be placed within the abdomen or vagina, and is used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. FDA reports and further investigation revealed that the product was often linked to complications, and in some cases required surgical removal. Thousands of TVM cases have now been reported, with AMS alone facing 7,700 as of April this year. Plaintiffs often seek compensation for medical bills, related costs, and pain and suffering caused by the medical device.