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GAO to Conduct Morcellator Investigation

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) reportedly has decided to conduct a probe into the power morcellator surgical device. Medical device makers have been marketing and selling the dangerous devices to hospitals and gynecologists for twenty years. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that the morcellator device can spread undetected uterine cancer.

A power morcellator looks like a power drill. With a rotating blade instead of a drill bit, the device is used by gynecologists during surgery to dice up fibroid tumors and remove the bits of tumor through small slits in a woman’s abdomen. Unfortunately, the device also chops up any undetected cancer in the uterus and propels the cancerous cells to other areas in the body.

GAO Morcellator Probe the Result of Request from Bipartisan Congressional Group

In August, a bipartisan group of twelve federal legislators wrote to the GAO asking it to investigate the dangerous medical devices. The lawmakers were particularly alarmed to learn that women undergoing laparoscopic surgery with a power morcellator have a 1-in-350 chance of having an undetected uterine cancer that could be spread during the procedure.

Legislators want to know whether morcellator manufacturers reported problems with the device to the FDA as they are required to do. Another issue concerns the training that manufacturers provided to doctors who use the morcellator devices. In addition, law makers have asked what the FDA can do to decide whether it’s safe for morcellators to be used at all.

Although the GAO will conduct its own investigation into these matters, the morcellator probe likely will not begin for another five months due to staffing issues.

Contact Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel to Learn More About Filing a Morcellator Lawsuit

We understand that injuries caused by power morcellators are personal and they’re sensitive. That’s why we’ve assembled a legal team, most of whom are women, to provide our morcellator clients with compassionate and aggressive representation throughout the litigation. To learn more about Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, or to have one of our attorneys review your potential morcellator case, contact us by email or call our medical device lawyers, like Kyla Cole in our Texas office, at 800.226.9880.

What are my chances?

That’s the first question everyone asks. The truth is it’s impossible to know. But we can tell you this. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has what it takes to fight against big corporate interests and win. That’s why we’ve taken more mesothelioma trials to verdict than any other firm. And that’s why we’ve recovered more than $1.3 billion for clients like you. Do you think you have a case? Contact us now to speak with an attorney.

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