Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP is investigating cases against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers in connection with laparoscopic power morcellators, which are used during hysterectomies and fibroid procedures. The morcellators, which break up tissue during these procedures so that the tissues can be withdrawn from the body laparoscopically, have been found to spread cancerous cells and tissue.
The FBI is currently investigating Johnson & Johnson’s prior knowledge of the risks presented by the devices manufactured by its subsidiary, Ethicon, Inc. The company was informed of potential problems with its morcellators in 2006. The company withdrew its morcellators from the market in July 2014 after the FDA issued a warning about the products.
In addition to Ethicon, other companies that manufacture laparoscopic power morcellators include Blue Endo, Cook Urological, Inc., Karl Storz GmbH & Co., KSE America, LiNA Medical, Lumenis, Ltd., Olympus and Smith & Nephew.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with uterine cancer or leiomyosarcoma after undergoing a procedure in which a power morcellator was used, please contact us for a free consultation.