Texas Woman Files AMS Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit

Beaumont, TXThe issue of transvaginal mesh negatively impacting the lives of women continues with the filing of an AMS transvaginal mesh lawsuit in Texas. The Southeast Texas Record reported in March that Cathleen Ankenman is a co-plaintiff in tandem with her husband, John.

Transvaginal mesh is used to treat a variety of issues inherent with women's health, not the least of which are incontinence—often seen in women who have previously given birth—and pelvic organ prolapse (POP), an age-related condition typified by the sagging of abdominal organs into the uterus and vagina. AMS mesh is just one example of a product made by various manufacturers designed to serve as a sling, to hold migrating organs in place.

However, the use of products such as AMS transvaginal mesh has become a hazard for many women and their partners.

In the case of Cathleen Ankenman, the Southeast Texas Record (3/6/12) reports the plaintiff has required no fewer than three corrective surgeries following the initial placement of the AMS Monarc and Gynecare Prolift + M, according to the report.

The Southeast Texas Record goes on to say that Ankenman's trials began with an initial surgery at a medical center in Las Vegas in July 2009. In the Ankenman lawsuit, filed March 1 in the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division, the plaintiffs claim that the devices implanted as part of Ankenman's AMS surgery failed to perform as intended, requiring frequent and often debilitating revision surgeries.

Issues relating to transvaginal mesh, allegedly including AMS tvm among that group, include pain, infection and restricted movement for the woman, and potential injury to her spouse or partner when sharp edges from the mesh butt up against or protrude through the vaginal wall.

The plaintiffs claim in their AMS legal action that the allegedly failure-prone device(s) resulted in emotional and physical pain and suffering, and included permanent AMS transvaginal mesh injury.

The defendants are American Medical Systems Inc. (AMS), Johnson & Johnson Inc, and Ethicon Inc. The three are accused by the plaintiffs of fraudulent concealment, negligence, strict liability, breach of implied and express warranties, and fraudulent misrepresentation. Products at issue, the AMS legal action asserts, have a high failure rate as well an equally high injury and complication rate.

The Ankenmans are seeking damages, lost wages, punitive damages, attorney's fees, interest and court costs in their AMS transvaginal mesh lawsuit.