Tamarie Richards vs. Legacy Health et al

Case Background

On April 23, 2021, Plaintiff Tamarie Richards filed a Product liability lawsuit in the Oregon State, Circuit Court of Multnomah County (Case number: 21CV15859). Judges Judith H. Matarazzo, Andrew M. Lavin, Stephen K. Bushong, Kathleen M. Dailey, Eric L. Dahlin, Christopher J. Marshall, Jenna Plank, Angela F. Lucero, Thomas M. Ryan, Jonathan W. Monson, Timothy W. Grabe, and Bronson D. James presided over the case.

Cause

The plaintiff underwent surgery on April 18, 2019, to implant two pelvic mesh products: a Boston Scientific Uphold Lite and an Ethicon TVT-O. These devices were designed to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. The mesh contained monofilament polypropylene, known to be biologically incompatible with human tissue, often causing severe foreign body reactions. On November 7, 2019, the plaintiff sought treatment for post-implant symptoms, including urethral pain, tailbone pain, buttocks pain, incontinence, numbness, back pain, leg pain, and groin pain. On December 20, 2019, Dr. Meredith Baker informed the plaintiff that the pelvic mesh products were causing her problems but did not recommend removal due to concerns about further nerve damage. The plaintiff was unaware of the defective nature of the products before this date. The complaint alleges that Boston Scientific and Ethicon knew of the risks associated with their pelvic mesh products but failed to adequately study these risks or warn patients and physic