Morcellator Cancer Lawsuits Await Courts Decision To Consolidated Uterine Cancer Claims

Southern Med Law Represents Women In Morcellator Cancer Lawsuits Alleging Power Morcellators Spread Undeveloped Leiomysarcoma Or Uterine Cancer When Used For Hysterectomies Or Myomectomies

October 10, 2015 - Attorneys for Southern Med attended a hearing for morcellator cancer lawsuits today. The hearing was to decided whether to consolidate the 22 power morcellation complaints. The morcellator cancer lawsuits were filed women or their surviving family members involved who believe they developed advanced leiomysarcoma or uterine cancer after undergoing laproscopic hysterectomies or myomectomies using morcellation that caused the cancer to spread.

The attorneys at Southern Med Law has been fighting for the rights of women who are believed to be morcellator cancer victims even before the FDA acted to warn the public about its potential danger. The Firm's founder, Dr. François Blaudeau, serves as Lead Counsel in what was the first morcellator cancer lawsuit filed in a U.S. court. The lawsuit was filed against LiNA Medical APS, Kebomed AB & LiNA Medical US on behalf of a Pennsylvania widower and was scheduled to go to trial this November in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, but was recently settled for an undisclosed amount. (Case No. 5:14-cv-1557, E.D. Pa., Allentown)

"The U.S. Judicial Panel On Multidistrict Litigation heard oral arguments today on consolidating power morcellator lawsuits for coordinated pretrial proceedings but it will be two weeks before we know the panel's decision," says Dr. François Blaudeau of Southern Med Law, who attended the hearing.

Laparoscopic power morcellators have spinning blades that shred uterine tissue into fragments so the tissue can be removed through small incisions in the abdomen. The tissue, however, may contain undetected cancer cells. These cancer cells can travel to various parts of a woman's body if the morcellated fragments are left in the abdominal and pelvic area or attach to surrounding organs. Once implanted, the morcellated fragments begin to grow. The FDA estimates that approximately 1 in 350 women undergoing a hysterectomy or myomectomy for fibroids have an unsuspected type of uterine sarcoma, that includes leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. According to the FDA, the prevalence of unsuspected uterine leiomyosarcoma is 1 in 498.

In April 2014, the FDA issued the first of two warnings regarding uterine morcellation and advised doctor not to use power morcellators for uterine surgery. The FDA also recommended that morcellator manufacturers add a black box warning that states using laparoscopic power morcellators during fibroid surgery may spread cancer and decrease the long-term survival of patients. Shortly after the FDA's warning, Johnson & Johnson, the largest manufacturer of laparoscopic power morcellators, suspended sales of new morcellators and pulled its devices off the global market. According to the Wall Street Journal, Johnson & Johnson sent letters to its customers asking them to return the morcellators. The FDA issued a stronger warning in November 2014, that all but banned the use of laparoscopic power morcellators in the majority of women undergoing a hysterectomy or myomectomy.
[wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-to-call-for-voluntary-return-of-morcellators-1406754350, July 30, 2014]
[fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm424443.htm, November 24, 2014]

The firm continues to offer free legal evaluations to women and their families who have developed leiomysarcoma or uterine cancer after undergoing a laparoscopic hysterectomy. Contact Southern Med Law today to learn more about your legal rights and filing a power morcellator lawsuits. Call the office directly at 205-547-5525 or visit www.southernmedlaw.com for more news and information.

Southern Med Law is a full service law firm representing men and women across the country. Led by Dr. François Blaudeau, the legal staff at Southern Med Law possesses a deep understanding of the complex medical and legal questions at issue in all manner of product liability and personal injury claims. They're not afraid to take on the nation's largest corporations in their pursuit of justice, and are committed to ensuring that all victims have access to the type of aggressive legal representation that assures success.

Southern Med Law
François M. Blaudeau, MD JD FACHE FCLM Esquire
2224 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Phone: 205-547-5525
Cell: 205-515-6166
Fax: 205-547-5526
francois@southernmedlaw.com
http://www.southernmedlaw.com
Medical Negligence/MedicalDevice/Pharma/Qui Tam

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