Power morcellators are advanced surgical tools that enable minimally invasive hysterectomy and similar gynecological surgeries. Johnson and Johnson, the leading manufacturer of gynecologic power morcellators, have issued a global recall due to the risk of spreading cancer through morcellator surgery. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer following a power morcellator surgery, you may have legal grounds to file a morcellator cancer lawsuit.
By mincing uterine tissues into tiny pieces before extraction, power morcellators necessitate only miniature incisions. Patients can benefit from shorter hospital stays, a reduction in pain, and a more rapid return to ordinary activity. However, should a patient have unsuspected or undetected uterine cancer, power morcellator surgery for hysterectomy or the removal of uterine fibroids can be disastrous. Power morcellators can seed the entire pelvic area and abdomen with cancer cells, resulting in an advanced-stage and often fatal form of the disease. Because there is no reliable means to test for uterine cancer prior to surgery, the potential dangers posed by morcellator surgery outweigh the benefits. Major entities, including the FDA, leading hospitals such as Brigham & Women’s, prominent surgeons, and national patient advocacy groups have all cautioned against the use of power morcellators because of the risk of spreading and advancing cancer.
Evidence suggests that Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon officials were aware of the risks of morcellator cancer as early as 2006 yet did not recall the device until 2014, when the company came under FDA pressure. Finally, in 2014, J&J issued a global recall of its three laparoscopic power morcellators, including Gynecare Morcellex, Gynecare X-Tract, and Morcellex Sigma. Furthermore, the company announced it will not return to the controversial morcellator market.
As a result of a string of major product recalls, Johnson & Johnson has faced unprecedented legal difficulties of late. Last year, the company reached a settlement of $2.5 billion to conclude 8,000 lawsuits for faulty DePuy hip replacement parts. Another 30,000 lawsuits are underway for dangerous pelvic mesh implants that resulted in severe internal damage to women. Yet the company continues to grow and flourish, increasing annual sales in 2013 by 6.1% over the previous year.
If you or a woman in your family was diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer following a uterine morcellator surgery, you may be entitled to real compensation through a morcellator cancer lawsuit. Your family deserves to be compensated for the expenses, pain, suffering, and loss you have sustained as a result of this dangerous medical device. Filing morcellator cancer lawsuits is the most effective means for individual consumers to hold J&J accountable for the damage their product has caused. Contact OnderLaw for a free morcellator cancer case evaluation today with one of our lawyers. All morcellator cancer lawsuit services are provided on a contingency basis, meaning there are no legal fees unless you receive compensation.
To speak with a morcellator cancer lawyer, contact our firm today. For more information, please visit our Morcellator Cancer Lawsuit Center.
