Request Legal Help Now - Free

Advertisement
LAWSUITS NEWS & LEGAL INFORMATION

AMS Transvaginal Mesh Settlements—Too Little, Too Late?

. By
Minnetonka, MNMore than 135,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed worldwide, and about 46,000 of those claims were filed against American Medical Systems (AMS) regarding its Endo transvaginal mesh. While some AMS plaintiffs may have been relieved with the news that Endo reached a settlement (and it was the first of the TVM manufacturers to do so), they aren’t satisfied with the outcome.

Many transvaginal mesh complainants were told they had a million-dollar case against the manufacturer, and one woman recently settled with AMS for about $700,000, but it seems like the majority of sufferers may wind up with a fraction of that amount.

“Whatever the fine print says in the agreement, that will prevail,” says Jane Akre at MeshNewsDesk. The contract you signed with your law firm contains details that are easy to overlook, especially when you are distraught and in pain. But read the fine print, particularly with mesh claims centers before signing anything. Some settlement firms ask that you sign special master agreements that include these questions: Did you file for bankruptcy? Do you get disability? Did you take out a loan? Do you owe a hospital or doctor?

“One woman I know had a bankruptcy going back 12 years and she had to pay it back,” says Akre. “She didn’t know that all creditors had to be satisfied until after she signed the agreement. She had a $30,000 settlement, 40 percent of which plus expenses went to her law firm, $10,000 to her creditors and she was left with $5,000.”

Unfortunately, many women are walking away with much less than anticipated.

Diane (not her real name) wrote to Mesh Medical Device News Desk:

I recently had [transvaginal mesh] removal and they classified me as level 4 (highest damages) and offered me $115,000 before liens and attorney fees. They figure 25 percent of it will go to liens and my attorney gets 1/3 so I will only get around $46,000. That is ridiculous and humiliating that they offered so little. Should I fight on?

Endo International (it bought AMS for $2.9 billion in 2011) in October 2104 had set aside $1.4 billion in a mesh product liability fund. Endo reported in its fourth quarter last fall that it had paid $150 million in AMS transvaginal mesh settlements. As of April 2015, the company said it had “compromised and settled all claims” in about 360 cases in 12 joint motions to dismiss, according to FierceMedicalDevices. Endo said it will be settling more than 100,000 more suits through 2017 for an average of $48,000 per claim.

Next up, LawyersandSettlments will discuss with a transvaginal mesh attorney proposed settlements - whether or not you can or should “fight on.”

READ ABOUT AMS TRANSVAGINAL MESH LAWSUITS

AMS Transvaginal Mesh Legal Help

If you or a loved one have suffered losses in this case, please click the link below and your complaint will be sent to a drugs & medical lawyer who may evaluate your AMS Transvaginal Mesh claim at no cost or obligation.

READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I am so distraught over this . I was offered $9000just for the implant and since I've had multiple surgeries it puts me in a higher bracket . Im still getting ready to have another surgery for mesh that's stuck on my bladder and they don't want to pay for any surgeries after December of 2016 so basically I won't get extra unless the special master determines I have an extraordinary case.

Posted by

on
Hi. I am being told there still in negotiate debate at Mostyn. How long have they had your suit?

Posted by

on
I have a case for the mesh lawsuit, and the lawyer said they offered me 9000 but with all the fees they want me to sign papers for 292.82, no way I'm I accepting that, and to top it off I'm going though alot of pain and the doctors are doing alot of different tests, right now. Legally can I get another lawyer?

Posted by

on
This was a very informative read! I currently have Mostyn Law working my mesh claim, in which yesterday when I called, they reported that the checks were being mailed out and that they were finalizing all suits! However, I've not been able to have my mesh sling removed as of yet. There are only 3 doctors in the St Louis area who will even attempt the surgery, and since my only insurance is Medicare, I have to come up with $7042 before he'll do surgery. The doctor HAS told me after my exam that it HAS to be removed and will probably have to be taken out in pieces. I wonder, then, if all suits are finalized, how in the world can they determine (1) what kind of damage has it caused my body? And (2) how many surgeries will it take to fix everything? After reading this article, I'm afraid I won't be alloted enough to even pay my doctor for the 1st surgery, much less any additional surgeries I may need! What to do???

ADD YOUR COMMENT ON THIS STORY

Please read our comment guidelines before posting.


Note: Your name will be published with your comment.


Your email will only be used if a response is needed.

Are you the defendant or a subject matter expert on this topic with an opposing viewpoint? We'd love to hear your comments here as well, or if you'd like to contact us for an interview please submit your details here.


Click to learn more about LawyersandSettlements.com

Request Legal Help Now! - Free