Birth Control Devices Lead to Injuries: Pulled from Market
July 30th, 2018BATON ROUGE, Louisiana. For years, there have been questions about the safety of Essure, a permanent contraception implant that some claim can cause pain, bleeding, allergic reactions, and in some cases, can puncture the uterus if the implant shifts in the body. According to CBS News, over 16,000 women have sued the company that makes Essure, claiming that they have been seriously injured by the product. The FDA recently required doctors to inform women of the implant’s potential risks. And, just recently, Bayer, the company that makes Essure, has announced that it will stop selling the product.
Bayer sold Essure as the only non-surgical permanent birth control method available. The procedure involved the insertion of two nickel-titanium coils in the fallopian tubes. The presence of the coils led to the growth of scar tissue which could then block sperm from fertilizing a woman’s eggs.
The FDA had asked Bayer to study the risks of the product, but given reports about the product’s risk, Bayer was unable to find enough women to participate.
The FDA’s page on Essure notes that it has been “examining” the “growing number of adverse event reports” patients have made after using Essure. The FDA notes that some women experienced “persistent pain, perforation of the uterus and/or fallopian tubes, intra-abdominal or pelvic device migration, abnormal or irregular bleeding, and allergic or hypersensitivity reactions.” In some instances, women have had unintended pregnancies. Unintended pregnancy can occur if a doctor fails to properly follow up with patients, fails to insert the device correctly, or when the device fails.
Even though Bayer is pulling the product, it still holds that the product is safe.
So, what can you do if you believe you have been harmed by Essure? First of all, it might be necessary to investigate where things went wrong. Is your situation the result of medical malpractice or due to failure of the medical device. The The Bowling Law Firm are medical malpractice lawyers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana who can review your case, look at your medical history, and see where things may have gone wrong.
For example, if you ended up pregnant after having the device implanted, this may be due to improper device implantation, due to improper doctor follow-up or instructions, or due to a failure to follow doctor’s instructions. If the device ruptured your uterus, this could be due to device failure or due to your doctor’s failure to properly implant the device. It appears there were several ways women could have gotten hurt.
With Essure being pulled off the market, there may be more opportunities for women to come forward about their challenges and difficulties with this product. If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of medical malpractice or due to a defective medical product, you may be entitled to seek damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Visit the The Bowling Law Firm today to learn more about your rights.
The Bowling Law Firm, A Professional Law Corporation
1615 Poydras Street, Suite 1050
New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112
Phone: (504) 586-5200
Toll Free: (504) 586-5200
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