Transvaginal Mesh Verdict Boston Scientific $73.5 Million

Discussion in 'Boston Scientific' started by Anonymous, Sep 13, 2014 at 8:03 PM.

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  1. Anonymous

    Anonymous Guest

    http://www.drugwatch.com/2014/09/12/boston-scientific-mesh-verdict/

    A jury slapped a Massachusetts-based medical device company with an order to pay $73.5 million after finding that it was liable for leaving a woman in severe pain following a vaginal mesh implant.

    A Texas jury awarded Martha Salazar $23 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages from Boston Scientific, which manufactured the Obtryx bladder sling that caused Salazar’s permanent injuries.

    A 42-year-old former property manager, Salazar said she could no longer walk or sit normally and suffered severe pain after she was implanted with the mesh sling intended to treat mild incontinence. Instead of finding relief, she suffered several internal injuries that required treatment of 42 additional procedures and four major surgeries.

    “This woman was seeking help with minor urine leakage and wound up with a catastrophic, life-altering injury that required four major surgeries. It’s a tragedy that these slings are still on the market.” Salazar’s lawyer Dave Matthews told Bloomberg.

    Critics of vaginal mesh hope the large punitive damages award deters the company and others like it from producing more dangerous devices. Mesh is long-used in medical procedures, but some question whether it was designed to support pelvic tissue.