Power Morcellator Lawsuits Spur House Congressional Panel Questions

November 23, 2015 – – Tracey & Fox reports on another update in the trials against power morcellator devices and various manufacturers. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce has now stepped up, asking new questions regarding whether Johnson & Johnson and Brigham Hospital fulfilled their requirement of reporting adverse events associated with laparoscopic power morcellator devices to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

New reports show that during a hearing the week of November 16th, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations began to question the manufacturer’s practices, and to investigate whether or not they had violated a federal law by failing to report all adverse outcomes regarding their power morcellator tools. The Chairman, Representative Tim Murphy (R-Pa.), directly addressed Johnson & Johnson (parent company of morcellator manufacturer Ethicon), and Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

Shortly after these questions were brought to light, the director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health sought out to investigate this further, and determine if the manufacturer or hospital had neglected to keep them informed of patients who were reportedly harmed during the process.

Officials from the FDA stated that their agency received no reports of adverse outcomes relating to power morcellation procedures before December of 2013. The lawsuits contained in the surrounding litigation, however, seem to note many adverse events prior to this date. The device has become one surrounded by much controversy.

Laparoscopic power morcellators are used during gynecological surgeries such as hysterectomies and myomectomies. They are inserted into a woman’s abdomen through a small incision, where they work to break apart troublesome uterine fibroids or uterine tissue. The problem, however, is that as the tool shreds the tissue much like a drill, it can also allegedly uncover previously undetected cancer cells, and spread them throughout the body. After undergoing this procedure, many patients have suddenly been diagnosed with high-grade, widespread cancer. This type of diagnosis can have a significant impact on the patient’s life expectancy. In fact, several power morcellator lawsuit plaintiffs have passed away from cancer since filing.

The attorneys at Tracey & Fox are working to ensure that anyone who has undergone laparoscopic power morcellation and who has subsequently been diagnosed with cancer is able to explore their full legal rights. These individuals may be entitled to compensation, and Tracey & Fox is offering them free legal consultations.

For additional information on power morcellation lawsuits, or to ask questions, please contact Tracey & Fox directly 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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