Last month, Endo International PLC announced that it will allocate $775 million to resolve “virtually all known” remaining transvaginal mesh product liability lawsuits pending against the company. This amount will cover about 22,000 mesh implant claims in the U.S. as well as all international mesh product liability claims by women who say they were injured by the Irish company’s transvaginal mesh devices, which include the Perigee, Apogee and Elevate implants.
This agreement means that Endo has now paid or set aside over $2.6 billion to settle more than 48,000 cases filed since 2013. In 2016 alone, the company paid out more than $1.1 billion in mesh legal settlements (Drugwatch).
Case Background
With more than 100,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuits filed since 2012, this is one of the largest mass torts in history. Other mesh-insert manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific Corp., also face thousands of claims from women around the world who allege the devices injured them. Endo has stopped making AMS transvaginal mesh.
Here is an outline of previous settlements made by Endo (source: Mass Tort Nexus):
- August 2017: $775 million settlement to resolve 22,000 mesh lawsuits.
- March 2016: To avoid future potential product liability, Endo closed its Astora Women’s Health division subsidiary, one of its units that made mesh implants.
- April and May 2015: Approximately 450 mesh lawsuits are resolved through two separate settlements.
- October 2014: $400+ million to settle more than 10,000 mesh lawsuits.
- May 2014: The FDA issued two proposed orders that reclassified surgical mesh for transvaginal repair of pelvic organ prolapse from medium- to high-risk devices.
- May 2014: $830 million settlement to resolve around 20,000 mesh lawsuits.
- June 2013: $55 million to settle an undisclosed number of lawsuits.
Who is Eligible for the Class Action?
Endo said in a statement that it isn’t aware of any claims that won’t be covered by the $775 million, though it can’t predict the number of any future claims or the resolution of any unresolved claims. This means that if you or a loved one received a transvaginal mesh implant and suffered from complications, you could still qualify for the class action lawsuit and be entitled to compensation. Visit this website to learn more about your eligibility and how to file a claim.
For existing plaintiffs, Endo will begin making installment payments in the fourth quarter of this year, continuing until the end of 2019.
Post-Settlement Funding on Your Endo International Award or Legal Fee
Plaintiffs have already received millions of dollars in compensation for medical bills, injuries, and emotional damage. Although Endo and other companies have settled thousands of claims, more than half of the lawsuits against them are still pending.
If this describes your situation, you could be waiting months, or even years, to actually see your award. Plaintiffs’ attorneys, who are paid on a contingency fee basis only when their clients get paid, face the same dilemma. If you are a claimant or attorney involved in the Endo International (or any other pending mesh litigation), Thrivest Funding can help by providing you with accelerated access to your settlement money.
To learn more about our plaintiff funding and attorney financing solutions, please call one of our friendly legal funding specialists at 267-457-4540 or complete our quick application online HERE.