Lawsuits Against Ethicon Allege Power Morcellator Device Accelerates Uterine Cancer

December 30, 2015 – – Banville Law reports on a recent surge in lawsuits filed against multiple laparoscopic power morcellator manufacturers, all of which synonymously allege that the devices can spread and advance cancer while shredding uterine fibroid tissue during hysterectomies, myomectomies, or other gynecological surgeries involving fibroids.

Manufacturers named in the lawsuits include Ethicon (a subdivision of Johnson & Johnson), Lumenis Ltd., Olympus, Blue Endo, Cook Urological Inc., Karl Storz GmbH, Smith & Nephew, Richard Wolf GmbH, and LiNA Medical. All lawsuits filed against Ethicon were consolidated by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to form MDL number 2652 in Kansas.

The Ethicon cases were able to be consolidated due to the fact that they were filed against the same defendant and all shared similar allegations. The consolidation will help to “fast-track” the legal process, avoiding duplicate discovery and different decisions from multiple judges. It also helps to conserve time and finances of everyone involved.

In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety warning regarding laparoscopic power morcellation, indicating that most women should never undergo this procedure due to the risk of exposing and spreading cancer cells from uterine fibroids which may have been previously undetected. The FDA also estimated that nearly 1 in every 350 women undergoing these gynecological surgeries on their uterine fibroids may have hidden cancer cells which, if spread with morcellation, could advance, significantly impairing the life-expectancy of the patient.

A power morcellator enters the abdomen through a tiny incision where it quickly spins blades designed to shred troublesome fibroid tissue. The procedure provides a minimally invasive option to open gynecological surgery. After the fibroid tissue is shred into small pieces, it can be pulled up through a tube connected to the morcellator, removing it from the body. While it does this, plaintiffs allege, it also disseminates cancer cells, creating advanced and high-grade cancer that is difficult to treat and often fatal.

The attorneys at Banville Law understand the incredible seriousness of this issue. Many of the lawsuits filed have been done on behalf of loved ones who have since passed away from cancer. Banville Law is working to ensure that anyone who has undergone laparoscopic power morcellation to remove uterine fibroids and who was subsequently diagnosed with cancer will be able to explore their legal rights. These women may be entitled to legal action and significant compensation. The attorneys at Banville Law are currently offering free legal consultations to everyone affected.

To ask questions or request additional information on laparoscopic power morcellation, please contact the attorneys at Banville Law by calling (888) 997-3792.

###

Contact Banville Law:

Laurence Banville, Esq.
888-997-3792
info@banvillelaw.com
165 West End Avenue, #1H
New York, NY 10023
United States (US)

ReleaseID: 60006822