Plaintiffs' Lawyer Steve Mostyn Dies

Mesh Medical Device News Desk, November 16, 2017 ~ It is with great sadness that Mesh Medical Device News Desk passes on the news of the death of plaintiffs' mesh attorney Steve Mostyn.

His wife, Amber, has issued a statement that the death was the result of a sudden onset of mental health issues. She encourages anyone fighting mental health problems to contact the suicide hotlines.

"If you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, or experiencing a health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right now. The lifeline's number is 1-800-273-8255."

Steve, Amber Mostyn

Mostyn, 46, leaves behind his law partner and wife, Amber Mostyn, and two children, ages 10 and 16. Steve was a devoted father who never missed their sporting activities, reports CBS News.

His Houston-based law firm is a leading personal injury firm that has jumped into the pelvic mesh debacle, particularly leading the way in racketeering claims against mesh maker, Boston Scientific, filing a racketeering class action lawsuit (here) against Boston Scientific on behalf of Teresa Stevens of West Virginia.

Based on documents obtained in discovery from Boston Scientific, company emails show executives knew and intentionally smuggled into the U.S. allegedly substandard polypropylene resin from a known Chinese counterfeiter when the U.S. supplier said it would cease providing the raw polypropylene materials to make mesh implants.

Amber Mostyn wrote to the FDA in April 2016, (here) , looking for federal help to restrain Boston Scientific (BSC) from selling mesh implants made from the allegedly counterfeit Chinese mesh.

"FDA’s proposal to allow BSC to test its own product for equivalency is flawed at its core and stands in stark contrast to statements by the FDA, statues enacted by Congress, and the public policies behind them. The FDA’s initial inquiry should be whether the raw material being used by BSC is counterfeit in violation of the Trademark Counterfeiting Act. If it is, the product should be recalled immediately."

The FDA instead turned the question of substandard mesh made from counterfeit materials over to BSC to investigate itself. The Mostyn law firm produced a video on the issue here.

Steve Mostyn on 60 Minutes

Mostyn also appeared on 60 Minutes fighting for people who lost their homes after Hurricane Sandy, particularly fighting the insurance companies that didn't want to pay for the damages.

See the script here. The video requires you log into CBS 60 Minutes.

He was known to be a fierce fighter in court and to fund political candidates who oppose the movement called "tort reform" that curtails an individuals right to a courtroom to resolve grievances.

Big Asbestos, Pharma and Tobacco are behind the tort reform movement, and receive backing through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Read more about that on PR Watch here.

Last year, your editor contributed stories on the mesh debacle for the Mostyn Perspectives website. Read a MND story on the Chinese mesh issue on Mostyn Perspectives here.

While I never met the Mostyns, Scottish reporter Marion Scott did when the couple flew to Scotland to testify to the government about the mesh issue.

Marion Scott, Reporter of the Year 2015

Tonight she says, "Totally distraught to hear this. Steve flew to Scotland with his lovely wife and daughter because he wanted to raise awareness of the mesh scandal. He was an incredible advocate and fighter. He lit up the place. Lovely man. So sorry for Amber and the kids."

While many personal injury law firms talk the talk, the Mostyns truly helped many of you behind the scenes putting their efforts into digging up the long buried evidence that would be needed to support mesh survivors during their long journey.

Rest in Peace Steve and prayers to the Mostyn family.

LEARN MORE

Stevens v Boston Scientific Timeline, Mostyn Law
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/spa/fyz6uchpeseeeqz/Exports/160421_MostynLaw_Timeline_v1%20copy%202/160421_MostynLaw_Timeline_v1%20copy%202.html

Mostyn Law Court Documents, Citizen Petition
https://vaginalmeshclassaction.com/exhibits/

Boston Scientific Smoking Gun emails, Mostyn Law
https://vaginalmeshclassaction.com/toxic-resin-boston-scientific/

Mesh News Desk, Jan. 15, 2016 – RICO Suit Accused Boston Scientific of Fraud in Smuggling Defective Pelvic Mesh from China
https://www.meshmedicaldevicenewsdesk.com/class-action-lawsuit-accuses-boston-scientific-of-obtaining-defective-mesh-from-china/