Power Morcellator Lawsuits Alleging The Device Spreads Uterine Cancer Continue To Grow

December 28, 2015 – – Banville Law reports on lawsuits filed against various power morcellator manufacturers which continue to be filed. The United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation approved a consolidation of these cases in October. Since this time, the MDL grew in number and was reported to involve 30 lawsuits as of December 15th, 2015. These lawsuits were able to be consolidated due to the fact that they were all filed against defendant Ethicon (a subdivision of Johnson & Johnson), and they share strikingly similar allegations.

Power Morcellator lawsuits involved in multidistrict litigation number 2652 commonly allege that women who underwent laparoscopic power morcellation for hysterectomies or myomectomies were put at increased risk for exposing and spreading previously hidden cancer cells. These cells, when encapsulated within a uterine fibroid, are virtually undetectable prior to surgery.

Power morcellator tools offer a less-invasive option than open surgery for patients requiring gynecological surgery on uterine fibroids. The device can be inserted through a small incision in the woman’s lower abdomen. Once inside, it has jaw-like blades that rapidly spin to shred fibroid tissue so that the pieces are able to be removed from the body. Plaintiffs now argue that as the tool does this, it uncovers and disseminates uterine sarcoma cells. This spreading helps to increase the grade of the cancer and accelerate its progress, significantly impairing the life expectancy of patients.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has also issued a safety warning against laparoscopic power morcellation procedures, indicating that women should refrain from undergoing these procedures to remove uterine fibroids due to the risk of spreading cancer. They estimated that 1 out of every 350 women who undergo these procedures may have uterine cancer cells they are completely unaware of that could be spread.

Many current plaintiffs allege that post-surgery they developed serious or fatal leiomyosarcoma. Several plaintiffs are family members representing loved ones who have passed away due to high-grade cancer after undergoing laparoscopic power morcellation.

It has been reported that the United States Government Accountability Office is now investigating the use of these tools, after a note from congress requested a closer look and cited the deaths of “hundreds, if not thousands of women in America”. Plaintiffs await answers from the investigation as their cases await trial. It is expected that case numbers included in the MDL will continue to increase as time goes on.

The attorneys at Banville Law are working to ensure that everyone who has undergone power morcellation and who has subsequently been diagnosed with cancer will have the opportunity to explore their legal rights. It is believed that many of these individuals may be entitled to legal action and significant compensation. Banville Law is offering free legal consultations for women involved.

To request more information on this topic or ask questions, contact the attorneys at Banville Law by calling (888) 997-3792.

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Contact Banville Law:

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

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