Hello October

Thank you so much for visiting Mesh Medical Device News Desk, shortened to Mesh News Desk (MDN). This effort was created in August 2011 in response to the growing number of women who were experiencing complications with their transvaginal mesh. Since then many people have come forward with similar stories of complications concerning hernia mesh. Both medical devices are made from the same material, a synthetic polypropylene (PP). Ultimately one day science may find it is the material that is problematic, but in the meantime there is a sea of denial and both PP hernia mesh and transvaginal mesh continue to be used.

For more on Sponsorship Opportunities see here.

U.S. District Court, Charleston, W.V.

The word for the month is Litigation! Cases are being filed in federal court in Charleston, West Virginia at lightning speed. That’s because the deadline for filing has been extended slightly, but that door is now closing. At this writing you may have only 30 days or so left to file a federal case. Certainly check with your lawyer.

If you have suffered an injury and have not yet contacted a law firm, make sure you find one that plans to take your case to trial! Many take the paperwork and do nothing, or pass it onto another firm for a finder’s fee. You are not told this of course. So the injured patient must become a consumer crusader in finding appropriate healthcare as well as a lawyer… It’s a real eye opener at a time when you are least able.

Bard Avaulta Support System

Hopefully we can help. Check the Facebook pages for conversation about medical care and lawyers. This community has become so generous in sharing what they’ve learned the hard way. And if you get a chance, sit in on a trial. It is most enlightening.

Rumors are circulating about settlements. At this time it’s best to take a deep breath and remember both sides may have something to gain by a rush to settlement and by circulating rumors to that end. At this time, the defendant mesh manufacturers have lost a case in New Jersey (Ethicon -$11.1 million), one in California (Bard-$5.5 million), one at trial in Charleston (Bard-$2 million). The next two C.R. Bard cases in Charleston settled for an undisclosed amount of money. The third, the Rizzo case, was just dismissed by the plaintiff. There is the Jones case ahead, November 12, to finish up the C.R. Bard bellwether trials there.

The American Medical Systems cases represented by a Texas law firm have settled for $55 million. There is no word on why they settled. See those stories under Legal News category (here).

Remember- you as the defendant have the right to sign-off on any settlement amount. The injured person has the right to say NO! to any settlement figure. Make sure that is clearly stated in your agreement with a law firm and have a conversation how you will be notified if a settlement is offered.

As always - be careful what you post online. Stick to the facts, not speculation. The web is not private, no matter what you might hear.

As always - If you are a person who feels mesh has made your life better, please share your experience as well. Your point-of-view is welcome!

Aaron Leigh Horton

Welcome to Aaron Leigh Horton, the very capable writer who penned a heart-felt Feature Story (here) about her mesh-injured mother. I am soliciting stories from the legal and medical community as well as personal stories in the Your Turn column. The Patient Profiles continue to “Put a Face on Adverse Events.”

At this writing a documentary film, “Enmeshed” is underway on the entire mesh issue and injured community.

Here’s what you can do to help.

Ask your law firm to become a subscriber and they will receive regular updates from MND. Deposition companies, court reporting services, your business, all can advertise remembering there is a firewall between editorial and advertising! See Sponsorship Opportunities here!

Law firms can have the latest news turned into a story for their website or an up-to-date press release. A win-win!! Help support this effort which is entirely voluntary at this time! Your support is much appreciated.

My promise- your emails are NOT farmed out to anyone. This is NOT a legal referral service. It is an honest attempt to serve a community. Journalism in the public good. Imagine that.

Jane Akre

Your comments, suggestions and even complaints are always welcome.

Stay well and stay in touch.

Jane Akre

Janeakre@meshnewsdesk.com

See About Us for more on Akre

Aaron Leigh Horton

Aaronhorton@meshnewsdesk.com.