A couple from Perryopolis, Pennsylvania, has launched a legal battle against several major medical corporations and healthcare providers over alleged severe complications stemming from a pelvic mesh implant. Amy and Brian McDowell filed the complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on an unspecified date against Ethicon, Inc., Ethicon LLC, Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Megan Bradley, Magee-Women’s Hospital of UPMC, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC).
The lawsuit details a harrowing series of events following Amy McDowell's implantation with a Gynecare TVT Exact sling manufactured by Ethicon Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The product was intended to treat stress urinary incontinence but allegedly resulted in severe complications including chronic pain, infections, and erosion of the mesh into her bladder. According to the complaint, these issues necessitated multiple medical interventions and surgeries that have left lasting physical and emotional scars.
The plaintiffs accuse Ethicon Inc., Ethicon LLC, and Johnson & Johnson of negligence in designing and marketing the pelvic mesh product without adequate safety testing or warnings about potential risks. The complaint asserts that "the scientific evidence shows that this material is biologically incompatible with human tissue and promotes an immune response," leading to severe adverse reactions. The McDowells allege that despite knowing these risks, the companies continued to market the product aggressively while downplaying its dangers.
Dr. Megan Bradley is also named in the lawsuit for her role in implanting the device. The plaintiffs claim she failed to adequately inform Amy McDowell about the potential risks associated with the procedure or discuss alternative treatments. Additionally, Magee-Women’s Hospital and UPMC are accused of corporate negligence for failing to ensure proper oversight and competence among their medical staff.
The McDowells are seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, mental anguish, pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages aimed at penalizing what they describe as "wanton and willful disregard" for patient safety by all defendants involved.
Representing Amy and Brian McDowell are attorneys Kila B. Baldwin, Catelyn McDonough, and Jillian Casarella from Anapol Weiss law firm based in Philadelphia. The case will be presided over by judges from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County under Case ID: [unspecified].