AMS Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Alleges Product Liability

New York, NYYou hear about lawsuits every day. You also hear about events happening in an individual's life that to the rest of us amount to a headline in the paper, or a few lines of text in a news report. However, for the individual adversely affected by AMS mesh, such events can be life-changing experiences from which they may never recover.

Deborah Baumler is one such plaintiff who has filed an AMS transvaginal mesh lawsuit after she allegedly suffered infection, bleeding and a host of other events upon receiving the problematic mesh product.

Transvaginal mesh, a class to which the AMS product belongs, grew in theory from hernia repairs, for which mesh is inserted to treat separations in the abdominal muscle wall through which internal organs can sometimes protrude. At one time requiring a large incision, mesh insertion has entered the arthroscopic arena, a change that minimizes the invasiveness of the procedure and speeds healing.

As for AMS TVM, the use of pelvic mesh for treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) has proven a preferred alternative to invasive surgery once needed to resolve the drooping of internal organs, or stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a byproduct in many women of bearing children.

However, given the number of adverse event reports involving TVM mesh, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has gone so far as to advise that use of TVM mesh for treatment of POP or SUImay not be a suitable first-line treatment. The agency has, in fact, directed all manufacturers of TVM mesh—including AMS TVT—to undertake post-marketing studies on transvaginal mesh.

According to Baumler's AMS legal petition, the New York woman underwent TVM surgery in November of last year and received an AMS Mesh Elevator and Mocarc Sling System. The plaintiff, in addition to allegedly suffering the injuries noted above, required extensive additional treatment.

The need for such treatment and the impact it can cause on one's life and livelihood, stemming from an AMS transvaginal mesh injury or otherwise, cannot be understated. Time away from work, career and family responsibilities can be difficult enough to achieve. Complicate that with additional unavailability due to subsequent treatments, together with pain, suffering and a limited capacity for accomplishing tasks that were formerly a non-issue, and the end result on an individual's real-life world can be devastating.

Some women have experienced the protrusion of mesh into their vagina, limiting or even eliminating the capacity for intimate relationships with their spouse or partner. Others have had to quit their jobs, and have become incapacitated by the health effects.

Baumler launched her lawsuit with the help of AMS lawyers on August 13th. Her action alleges product liability against Endo Pharmaceuticals and American Medical Systems. Baumler v. Endo Pharm. Is No. 12-0764 and was filed in US District Court for the Western District of New York.