Morcellator Lawsuit Lawyers
If you or a woman in your family has had gynecological surgery, it’s possible that a power morcellator was used. Though morcellators are used to remove noncancerous growths from the uterus, tragically, the device has been proven to actually accelerate the development of undetected cancers.
As the potential deadly risks associated with morcellators become more widely known, the number of lawsuits is growing. The Food and Drug Administration has been investigating the devices.
Though morcellator claims are relatively new in the public’s eye, our attorneys have experience handling medical device cases in Alabama and beyond. At Pittman, Dutton & Hellums, we can use our experienced, passionate and hands-on approach to seek what you need to help you and your family recover the best you can.
Why is a Morcellator Dangerous?
First used in surgeries in the mid 1990s, power morcellators are surgical devices used in hysterectomies (removal of the uterus), myomectomies (removal of uterine fibroids) and certain kidney and spleen surgeries. A morcellator is inserted through small incisions and used to remove tissue after cutting and shredding it. Morcellators became more prevalent in recent years because they allow these complex surgeries to be performed laparoscopically, shortening recovery time and minimizing the intrusiveness of the procedure.
The FDA estimated that 1 in 350 women undergoing a hysterectomy has an undiagnosed cancer in the uterus. The morcellator can spread this undetected cancer throughout the abdomen, increasing its rate of development and making treatment more difficult.Some of these cancers were not discovered until the women were in late stages of the deadly disease.
In 2014, the FDA issued a statement opposing the use of morcellators in hysterectomies and myomectomies. Several models of the device have since been taken off the market, including some from pharmaceutical heavyweight Johnson & Johnson. The FDA also mandated manufacturers put proper warnings on morcellators.
In its statement, the FDA said:
“If laparoscopic power morcellation is performed in women with unsuspected uterine sarcoma, there is a risk the procedure will spread cancerous tissue within the abdomen and pelvis, significantly worsening the patient’s long-term survival.”
Building a Morcellator Case
If you believe that a morcellator spread cancer in yourself or a woman you love, you need to speak with an Alabama medical device attorney today.
Here are some of the allegations morcellator lawsuits are alleging:
Negligence
The companies that make morcellators are responsible for developing, producing, labeling and marketing a safe product that does not harm the public. People must be alerted to potential dangers. A complaint against a morcellator manufacturer can argue the company was guilty of carelessness, reckless negligence and disregard for human life. After all, advanced cancer is no minor side effect.
Fraudulent Misrepresentation
An attorney can argue that morcellator manufacturers presented their products as safe when they were not.
Failure to Warn Consumers of Risk
The device makers did not warn the public that morcellators can spread cancer. Women should have been informed of this risk before they opted to undergo the procedure.
Failure to Recall
Device makers should have stopped selling morcellators when the risks were clear. Their failure to remove the products from the market likely resulted in harm to many women.
File a Morcellator Claim
Routine surgery should never harm the patient, let alone have the potential to spread powerful diseases. The cancer risks associated with morcellators are real, deadly and can cripple a family. The companies that make these devices need to be held accountable.
If you or a loved one has had cancer spread by a morcellator, or suffered another injury from the device, We are serving clients nationwide. The consultation is free. It may be the first step toward seeking compensation to bring you some piece of mind in this difficult time.
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