Boston Scientific Settles Part of Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits

Boston Scientific has settled part of a series of lawsuits alleging the devicemaker’s transvaginal mesh product for urinary incontinence is defective and causes complications, the Marlborough, Mass., company said Tuesday.

Boston Scientific plans to pay an estimated $119 million to resolve 2,970 cases, a fraction of the more than 25,000 mesh claims it is contending with in U.S. federal and state courts.

The agreement is tied to a $35 million verdict in a Dallas County, Texas, district court case that is subject to appeal.

The company lost two federal trials, in West Virginia and Miami, and was ordered to pay $18.5 million and $26.7 million, respectively. Women complained of suffering pain, bleeding, infection and injury while using the Pinnacle device.

The devicemaker denied allegations the product was to blame for plaintiffs’ complications and won its first two mesh cases in Massachusetts state court. As such, the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing, the company says.

Six other companies, including J&J’s Ethicon subsidiary and C.R. Bard Inc., are facing legal action over the products. — Jason Scott