Endo Health Solutions is the parent company of American Medical Systems. It recently filed a report with the Securities and Exchange Commission that revealed that the company is being investigated by attorneys general in several different jurisdictions. The reason given for these investigations involves possible Medicare and Medicaid fraud. At this point, the investigations appear to have progressed to the point where the company has received subpoenas from officials in several different states. Those subpoenas appear to be looking to clarify whether or not American Medical Systems, or AMS, overcharged for pelvic mesh products.
In addition to the investigations regarding what was charged for these products, the AMS transvaginal mesh products have been involved in a massive legal controversy involving allegations that they did not work properly. These alleged malfunctions or defects led to serious injuries in many women who used them, according to several AMS transvaginal mesh lawsuits that have been filed across the United States. To date, more than 13,000 individual lawsuits have been filed against the company by women seeking the recovery of damages.
Why Are Transvaginal Mesh Products Used?
Transvaginal mesh products are manufactured by several different companies. They are used to help women deal with symptoms associated with conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse, or POP, and stress urinary incontinence, or SUI. These conditions are typically associated with women who have given birth to children, and these mesh products are supposed to help hold their pelvic organs in place so that additional complications can be avoided.
Alleged Problems with Transvaginal Mesh Products
The 13,000-plus AMS transvaginal mesh lawsuits that have been filed are far from the only ones that are currently pending in the court system. To date, more than 40,000 claims have been filed against companies that include:
- Ethicon
- Boston Scientific
- Bard
- Coloplast
- Cook Medical
- Neomedic
The general basis of these transvaginal mesh lawsuits is that using these products led to serious complications because of the tendency for these products to erode or even shrink. When this happens, the mesh can cause internal friction that can lead to internal bleeding, serious infections, swelling and excruciating pain.
What These Transvaginal Mesh Investigations Mean
At this point, little is known about where these transvaginal mesh investigations could lead, but something must be suspected if several attorneys general are serving subpoenas. One thing that is generally known is that even if it’s ultimately discovered that AMS was overcharging for these products, the lawsuits that have been filed will continue. The cases that are already active have been consolidated into what is known as a multi-district litigation, or an MDL.
If you or someone you love has used one of these products and you have suffered as a result, you need to take action to stand up for your legal rights. Contact the transvaginal mesh lawyers at Parilman & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation. You can do so either by emailing the firm or by calling 800-800-DRUG.
