Morcellation Media Monitoring 01/28/2016

Client Attorney Privileged/Attorney Work Product/At Request of Counsel

Morcellation

1. FBI Investigates Ethicon’s Product Knowledge After More Power Morcellator Uterine Cancer Lawsuits

   Jan 27, 2016 | Press release

   By Banville Law
   
   
   Banville Law reports on an article published by The Science Times which discusses the investigation into whether Ethicon (a division of corporate giant Johnson & Johnson) may have been aware of the harm that their morcellator devices could cause patients quite some time ago. The article indicates that Johnson & Johnson is now under investigation by the FBI due to multiple allegations insisting that the company had prior knowledge of certain cancer-spreading dangers which were linked to their laparoscopic power morcellator medical tools.

Full Text of Stories Below

Client Attorney Privileged/Attorney Work Product/At Request of Counsel

Morcellation

1. FBI Investigates Ethicon’s Product Knowledge After More Power Morcellator Uterine Cancer Lawsuits

   Jan 27, 2016 | Press release

   By Banville Law

   Banville Law reports on an article published by The Science Times which discusses the investigation into whether Ethicon (a division of corporate giant Johnson & Johnson) may have been aware of the harm that their morcellator devices could cause patients quite some time ago. The article indicates that Johnson & Johnson is now under investigation by the FBI due to multiple allegations insisting that the company had prior knowledge of certain cancer-spreading dangers which were linked to their laparoscopic power morcellator medical tools.

   These morcellator devices are manufactured by multiple companies from across the United States. They help to provide a less invasive alternative to open surgeries for women needing hysterectomies and myomectomies, however, many who have undergone the procedure now allege that they can actually uncover and disseminate dangerous and even fatal uterine sarcoma cells throughout the body.

   Gynecological power morcellators are inserted into patient’s abdominal cavities through tiny incisions, where they rapidly spin shredding jaws in order to tear uterine fibroid tissue into small pieces to be removed through a hollow tube on the front of the device via suction. Many plaintiffs filing the rapidly increasing number of lawsuits against the devices, however, claim that as the tool shreds apart these tissue fragments, it can uncover previously hidden cancer cells, that neither the patient or doctor were aware of. Also, many allege that the fast whipping motion of the device then disseminates and accelerates the sarcoma cells, forming a high-grade and widespread cancer, and substantially impairing the likelihood of survival for the patients involved.

   The article discusses the fact that the FBI’s new investigation centers specifically around how long Johnson & Johnson may have been aware of these cancer spreading risks, before removing their product from the market. It was not until the FDA issued a 2014 safety warning regarding the tool that the company stopped all production of morcellators and recalled those currently in use at medical facilities across the U.S. Many believe that this action came far too late, however, as complaints from 10 or more years ago have linked the device to the spreading of cancer and subsequent death.

   According to The Science Times, “With the investigation ongoing, details from the FBI have been scarce, but it appears complaints from medical personnel about the potential dangers of the morcellator have been ongoing for years. By law, manufacturers, doctors, and hospitals are required to notify the FDA of any potential harmful effects of medical products. Physicians involved in the investigation claim they notified Johnson & Johnson as far back as 2006 about the dangers of using the morcellator on women at high risk for cancer.”

   While lawsuits filed against various power morcellator tools continue to grow in number, the attorneys at Banville Law are hoping to better help those who have suffered. All women who have undergone gynecological power morcellation and who were subsequently diagnosed with cancer may be entitled to legal action and significant compensation. To help these women pursue justice in the matter, Banville Law is now offering free morcellator consultations.

   To ask questions or request more information, please contact Banville Law by calling (888) 997-3792.

   Return to headline | Return to top

Full Text of Stories Below