More than one million hernia repair surgeries are performed in the United States every year. More than 800,000 of these surgeries are inguinal hernia repairs, or “groin hernia” repairs. According to the FDA, more than 90% of groin hernia repairs include the use of hernia mesh¹ to support weak or damaged tissue. In some cases, problems and complications result from the use of hernia mesh.

Serious complications caused by hernia mesh can include:

• Adhesion
• Bowel obstruction
• Infection
• Hernia recurrence
• Mesh migration
• Mesh contraction
• Pain

Some types of surgical mess have been recalled. The federal government has also investigated the production of counterfeit brand-name mesh products that do not meet medical standards. If you have patients who have suffered complications due to hernia mesh that have required additional surgery, they may be eligible to file a legal claim. 

Sources:

¹FDA staff. Hernia Surgical Mesh Implants. FDA.gov. Updated February 4, 2018.

Resources for Hernia Mesh Issues

Hernia Mesh Injury Support Group

Hernia Mesh Complications Support Group

Transvaginal mesh been used in surgical repairs for pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. Phyisicians began using mesh for pelvic floor repairs in hope of improving post-surgery failure rates. Unfortunately, in a number of cases, disturbing complications arose.

Serious complications caused by transvaginal mesh can include:

• Erosion of mesh through vaginal wall
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Scaring
• Pain
• Urinary incontinence
• Painful intercourse
• Recurrence of pre-surgery condition

Transvaginal mesh has been the subject of numerous lawsuits and FDA actions. Over 100,000 lawsuits have been filed against various mesh manufacturers, and many suits are still in progress. In addition to suits filed on behalf of individuals, several states have sued Johnson & Johnson, claiming the company deceptively marketed transvaginal mesh products.¹ In 2018, the FDA effectively banned new sales by issuing a market withdrawal of mesh for transvaginal use.² 

If you have patients with medical issues related to a surgery involving transvaginal mesh, they may be eligible to file a legal claim. They may also be eligible for monies provided by state settlements regarding deceptive marketing of these products.

Sources:

¹ Berger, S. Vaginal mesh has created health problems in many women, even as some surgeons vouch for its safety and efficacy. The Washington Post. January 20, 2019.

² U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Urogynecologic Surgical Mesh Implants. FDA Website. Updated 7/10/2019.

Resources for Transvaginal Mesh Issues

The Flower Empowered 

The Mesh and Bladder Sling Support Group

Talc is an extremely soft mineral that has long been used in baby and body powders, known as talcum powders. Regular use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene has been shown to increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.¹ Juries have awarded significant amounts to women who developed ovarian cancer after regular use of talcum powder.² Growing public concerns about health issues related to the use of talcum powder resulted in Johnson & Johnson ending the sale of its talc-based powders in the U.S. and Canada in the spring of 2020.

If you have patients who have been diagnosed with ovarian, uterine, or fallopian tube cancer after regular use of talcum powder, they may be eligible to file a legal claim.

Sources:

¹Zuckerman, Dana & Shapiro, Danielle. Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer. National Center for Health Research. Center4research.org. Accessed July, 2020.

² Christensen, Jen. $4.69 billion verdict against Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. CNN. Cnn.com. Updated July 13, 2018.

Resources for Ovarian Cancer

Bright Pink

FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered

Foundation for Women’s Cancer

National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

Ovarian Cancer Project

OvarCome

BeBRCAware

Ovarian Cancer Clinical Trials

Additional Cancer Resources

The American Cancer Society

American Society of Clinical Oncology Patient News & Info

Cancer Support Community/Gilda’s Club

CancerCare Foundation

Taxotere is the brand name for the cancer medicine docetaxel. Generic versions of the drug are also available. Taxotere has been approved to treat a variety of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer and head and neck cancer. Administered by infusion, Taxotere is a powerful drug with a long list of side effects. While many cancer treatments may result in temporary hair loss, the use of Taxotere can cause permanent hair loss.¹ Because Sonofi, the company that first manufactured Taxotere did not make this  side effect known when the drug was brought to market, patients who have suffered permanent hair loss have brought lawsuits against the company. Lawsuits have also been filed against manufacturers of generic versions of the drug.

Manufacturers did not begin warning of the risk of permanent hair loss until the drug had been on the market for many years.² Other drugs that do not cause permanent hair loss have been shown to be as effective as Taxotere. If you have patients who have suffered permanent hair loss due to the use of Taxotere or a generic version of the drug, they may be eligible for compensation.

Cancer Resources

 The American Cancer Society

American Society of Clinical Oncology Patient News & Info

Cancer Support Community/Gilda’s Club 

CancerCare Foundation

Invokana is the brand name for the oral medicine canagliflozin, used to treat type 2 diabetes. Before the introduction of Invokana in 2013, type 2 diabetes was typically treated with metformin, sold under the brand names Glucophage, Glumetza, Glucophage XR and Riomet. Metformin reduces blood sugar levels by reducing the liver’s production of glucose. Invokana was  designed to reduce blood sugar levels by reducing the kidneys’ ability to absorb glucose, allowing patients to pass excess blood sugar in their urine. 

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, manufactures and markets Invokana. The company viewed the drug as a game-changer for diabetics. Prominent medical professionals expressed concerns about possible side effects before Invokana received FDA approval. However, the FDA approved the drug with the understanding that Janssen would continue conducting studies and tracking side effects.¹

Invokana has since been linked to a number of disturbing side effects. The list is long, and may include:

• Increased risk of lower limb amputation
• Fungal urinary tract infections
• Stroke
• Cardiac arrest
• Kidney damage
• Gangrene
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetic ketoacidosis

Over 1000 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson regarding side effects of Invokana.³ If you have patients who have been prescribed Invokana and suffered any of the drug’s side effects, they may be eligible to file a legal claim.

Sources:

¹McElrath, KJ. Invokana Maker Turned Health Care Consumers into Guinea Pigs. Drugssafetynews.com. April 1, 2017.

²Clark, Cheryl. Doctors debate danger of popular diabetes drug after FDA amputation warning. inews.org. August 31, 2017.

Resources for Type 2 (Adult Onset) Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association

The DiaTribe Foundation

The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation 

The Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation

DiabetesSisters

Taking Control of Your Diabetes

We Are Diabetes

An inferior vena cava filter (IVC filter) is a medical device designed to trap blood clots. An IVC filter is implanted in a major vein to prevent blood clots from travelling to a patient’s heart or lungs. Some patients have undergone IVC filter implantation, only to have devices move, malfunction or break apart.¹

Such problems can cause a number of medical issues, including:

• Pain
• Vertigo
• Internal bleeding
• Tissue damage
• Organ damage
• Shortness of breath
• Abnormal heart rate
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Death²

Members of the medical community have questioned the use of IVC filters, especially when compared to available drug treatments for blood clots. Various medical device manufacturers make and market IVC filters, and several have been sued by patients.³ If you have patients who have experienced complications after receiving an IVC Filter implant, they may be eligible to file a legal claim.

Sources:

¹McElrath, KJ. IVC Filter Injuries–What Happened to Some Plaintiffs. Drugssafetynews.com. October 23, 2016. 

²McElrath, KJ. IVC Filters Can—And Do—Kill. Drugssafetynews.com. April 26, 2017.

³McElrath, KJ. IVC Filter Lawsuit Numbers: 1500 Plaintiffs, 7 Defendants and 17 Products. Drugssafetynews.com. September 21, 2017.