(openPR) - A U.S. Judicial Panel has voted to consolidate three vaginal mesh multidistrict litigations into a single proceeding before a West Virginia district judge.

Los Angeles, CA, February 8, 2012 – The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation issued an order on Tuesday to consolidate three vaginal mesh multidistrict litigations (MDLs) into a single proceeding. The cases, which involve lawsuits filed against Boston Scientific, American Medical Systems and Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Inc., will be centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

The cases will be presided over by Chief Judge Joseph R. Goodwin, who is also presiding over another MDL involving vaginal mesh litigation initiated against C.R. Bard. Those lawsuits were filed by women who say they were injured by the company’s Avaulta pelvic mesh system. Consolidation of the cases streamlines the proceedings and helps to reduce costs for all parties involved.

In January 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered 33 manufacturers of vaginal mesh devices to conduct post-market safety studies on their products. The FDA ordered the additional safety studies in response to growing concerns about the safety of transvaginal mesh. Companies that received the order include Johnson & Johnson, C.R. Bard and Boston Scientific.

Earlier this month, House Democrats lead by Representative Henry Waxman asked Republican members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee to schedule a congressional hearing regarding the safety of the mesh implants. Lawmakers have expressed concerns that the FDA’s current approval guidelines for vaginal mesh and other medical devices may not safeguard consumers against defective products.

Women who experience pain, scarring, infection or other injuries caused by vaginal mesh may be eligible to file a claim for compensation. These individuals are encouraged to seek the aid of an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss their legal rights.

Nadrich & Cohen LLP is offering confidential, no-cost consultations to women who believe they were injured by vaginal mesh. Help is available by calling the firm’s injury hotline at 1-800-718-4658 or by completing an online contact form at www.vaginalmeshlegalclaims.com.

Nadrich & Cohen LLP is a national law firm with offices in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and other cities throughout California specializing in handling mass tort actions and representing individuals in cases involving pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. The firm is committed to achieving the best outcome possible in every case and has recovered over $200 million in settlements on behalf of its clients.

In addition to handling vaginal mesh side effects claims, the firm is also investigating cases involving Yaz, Actos, DePuy ASR Hips, Zoloft, Fosamax, Paxil, Wright Conserve Hips, Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, Benzene, Reflex Sympathy Dystrophy, Fen Phen and Asbestos exposure. For more information, visit www.personalinjurylawcal.com.

Jennifer Poole
National Client Intake Coordinator
Nadrich & Cohen LLP
12100 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 1250
Los Angeles, CA 90025
800-718-4658
info@personalinjurylawcal.com
www.personalinjurylawcal.com