Power Morcellator Lawsuits Obtain MDL Consolidation

November 22, 2015 – – Tracey & Fox reports on the consolidation of personal injury and wrongful death power morcellator lawsuits, issued by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation on October 15th, 2015. The consolidation is designed to help the litigation process run more smoothly and efficiently. It ensures that those involved can avoid duplicate discovery and different rulings from multiple judges, and also conserves resources. The cases in the MDL, (MDL number 2652), are being overseen by the Honorable Judge Kathryn H. Vratil in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

On November 16th, Judge Vratil scheduled the first status conference date for the management of these cases. The number of cases included in the current MDL is expected to rise as additional women develop cancer after undergoing laparoscopic power morcellation during gynecological surgeries such as hysterectomies or myomectomies. Several of the suits currently filed had to be done so by familial representatives of the victims, due to the fact that some victims have passed away from cancer.

Plaintiffs are happy with the MDL consolidation. They had been requesting it for some time, and it enables them to maintain their individual lawsuits while speeding up pretrial and discovery processes, and minimizing legal costs. Defendants in the suit were, however, opposed to motions requesting an MDL transfer.

Many lawsuits involved similarly make note of the United States Food and Drug Administration’s’ April 2014 safety warning, which discouraged the use of laparoscopic power morcellation during gynecological surgeries involving uterine fibroids due to the risk of exposing and spreading previously undetected uterine sarcomas. The FDA additionally noted that an estimated 1 in every 350 women who undergo laparoscopic power morcellation for gynecological surgeries have hidden cancer cells they may be unaware of prior to surgery. As power morcellator devices spread these cells, a patient’s likelihood of long term survival substantially diminishes. According to allegations, the tool can create a widespread, high-grade cancer which is difficult to treat and often fatal.

As current morcellator lawsuits await litigation, the attorneys at Tracey & Fox are working to ensure that everyone affected has had the opportunity to join. Women who have undergone laparoscopic power morcellation during gynecological surgeries, and who have subsequently received cancer diagnoses are encouraged to explore their full legal rights. Tracey & Fox offers free legal consultations for these individuals.

To ask questions, or request additional information on power morcellation lawsuits, please contact the attorneys at Tracey & Fox by calling (713) 322-5375.

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Contact Tracey & Fox:

Sean Tracey
713-495-2333
440 Louisiana Street , Suite 1901
Houston, TX 77002

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