Medtronic-Owned Covidien Settles Pelvic Mesh Cases

Medtronic’s Covidien business division has reached an agreement to settle about 11,300 transvaginal mesh device lawsuits brought forth by women claiming personal injury while using the company’s product, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed due to confidentiality agreements. Judge Joseph Goodwin oversaw the proceedings in a U.S. Southern District of West Virginia court.

The pelvic mesh products were manufactured for pelvic surgical repair and female urinary incontinence, but have been associated with painful side effects such as mesh erosion through the vagina, infection and other issues. Medtronic entered the legal fray when it purchased Covidien in January.

Six other companies, including J&J’s Ethicon subsidiary and C.R. Bard Inc., have been facing similar legal action. Last month, Boston Scientific was ordered to pay $100 million to a woman who claimed she suffered injury after being implanted with the device in 2009. — Jason Scott