Power Morcellator Lawsuits | Linked to Uterine Cancer

Published By:
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Jessica Paluch-Hoerman

Attorney Jessica Paluch-Hoerman, founder of TruLaw, has over 28 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and legal experts at TruLaw and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Jessie Paluch, you can do so here.

TruLaw does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us by using the chat on the bottom of this page. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.

Intro to the Power Morcellator Lawsuits

Power Morcellator Lawsuits filed for Link to Uterine Cancer

Morcellation devices put women at increased risk of uterine cancer when used during hysterectomy or myomectomy procedures.

Women suffering from unexpected cancers are filing lawsuits.

Table of Contents

Power Morcellator Linked to Uterine Cancer

Laparoscopic power morcellators are tools used in fibroid removal procedures that cut up uterine growth so that the growth can be more easily removed using noninvasive procedures.

They could be used as part of either a myomectomy (removal of uterine fibroids) or hysterectomy (removal of uterus).

The power morcellator essentially cuts uterine growth (fibroids) into very small pieces that can be removed by vacuum through a small incision.

Power Morcellator Lawsuits Filed

Numerous women have filed morcellator lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers of these morcellation devices, alleging they were not informed of the risks before undergoing their laparoscopic procedures.

In order to streamline early trial proceedings and make the process more convenient and efficient for all parties involved, federal court cases involving Ethicon power morcellators were coordinated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Kansas.

The MDL is used to determine pretrial rulings in cases that involve many plaintiffs but a common question of fact.

Cases currently pending in the MDL will be transferred back to their originating court for trial if settlement does not occur prior to trial.

Women who believe that their cancer diagnosis was made worse as a result of their choice to undergo a less invasive fibroid surgery or hysterectomy are currently filing lawsuits.

FDA Warning

In April 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication to warn physicians and patients that power morcellators could spread undetected cancer cells.

Because there is no definitive way to know for sure if cancer cells are present prior to a procedure, the FDA recommended at the time that patients be counseled on the risks associated with power morcellators.

The agency also advised that morcellators should not be used in the majority of hysterectomies and myomectomies, since vaginal procedures are typically associated with better results and fewer complications.

Johnson & Johnson Recalls Power Morcellators

As a result of a public outcry and the FDA warning, the largest manufacturer of the Power Morcellator tool, Johnson & Johnson, pulled the device off the market but there are still women today learning of the connection between a laparoscopic procedure and their uterine cancer diagnosis.

Power Morcellator Used in Large Numbers Prior to Recall

Many women choose to undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy or myomectomy because it is associated with benefits such as a shorter post-operative recovery time and reduced risk of infection compared to abdominal hysterectomy and myomectomy.

The minimally invasive nature of surgery involving a power morcellator made it an appealing choice for many women undergoing hysterectomies or myomectomies until Johnson & Johnson pulled the device from the market.

According to investigations, Approximately 1 in 350 women undergoing these types of surgeries have an undetected form of uterine cancer.

In these women, there is a risk that the morcellator will spread the cancerous tissue, decreasing the likelihood of long-term survival.

After public outcry and pressure from medical professionals, the FDA issued a strong warning regarding the use of power morcellators, in which it discouraged their use and directed surgeons to discuss the risks of using power morcellators with their patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Published By:
Picture of Jessica Paluch-Hoerman
Jessica Paluch-Hoerman

Managing Attorney & Owner

With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessica Paluch-Hoerman is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three.  She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.

In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.

In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share the most reliable, accurate, and up-to-date legal information with our readers!

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