Vaginal Mesh Implant Complications
Thousands of women who have used transvaginal mesh implants have suffered serious complications from these medical products.
If you have been harmed by a vaginal mesh device, contact an attorney at our firm without delay. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries, emotional distress and financial expenses through a transvaginal mesh lawsuit.
Our free e-book, Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits, contains important information about surgical mesh implants and their potential side effects.
Aimed to help consumers protect their rights, we urge you to download your free copy.
What is Transvaginal Mesh?
Also known as pelvic mesh or bladder slings, these mesh devices are used by women for treatment of conditions in which female pelvic muscles have become weakened, and pelvic organs begin to collapse. Transvaginal mesh is prescribed to treat:
- Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) – This condition occurs when the bladder leaks urine during physical activity or exertion, including when a person coughs or lifts a heavy object.
- Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) – This happens when a pelvic organ, such as the bladder, drops (prolapses) and winds up pushing against the walls of the vagina causing great discomfort and pain.
Transvaginal mesh serves as a sling to lift and support the bladder, uterus, rectum or other pelvic organ that is causing the pain, discomfort or incontinence. The mesh is surgically placed transvaginally (through the vagina.) The mesh products are made with synthetic materials, including polypropylene.
Vaginal Mesh Side Effects
Since 2005, thousands of lawsuits have been filed by victims of serious injury and debilitating side effects caused by these defectively designed and under-tested mesh products. Transvaginal mesh complications include:
- Pain
- Urinary complications
- Vaginal scarring
- Vaginal bleeding
- Mesh erosion – mesh passes through the vaginal tissue
- Organ perforations – sharp edges of the mesh cut into the bowel, bladder or blood vessels
- Recurrence of POP and SUI
- Infections
These side effects and injuries frequently demand expensive and invasive surgical repairs, in order to remove the mesh implant. The removal may require several complex “revision surgeries” involving specialized physicians, and relief of all adverse symptoms is not guaranteed. Further extensive treatments may involve draining abscesses or hematomas, blood transfusions, and intravenous therapies.
Who Are the Manufacturers of Transvaginal Mesh?
Several makers of vaginal mesh products are being investigated for personal injury lawsuits, including the following pharmaceutical companies:
- R. Bard,
- American Medical Systems (an Endo International company)
- Boston Scientific
- Ethicon Inc. (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson)
- Cook Medical
Thousands of Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits have been Filed
There are around 40,000 pending lawsuits filed by patients who have been seriously injured by the mesh devices. Various lawsuits have been filed that allege the manufacturing companies gave the plaintiffs false and misleading information regarding the safety and efficacy of the mesh devices.
Lawsuits also allege that the manufacturers did not properly test the product for health risks, and for failure to warn consumers, patients and the healthcare community of possible side effects and harm.
- In 2012, one lawsuit against the manufacturer C.R. Bard was resolved by the jury award of $5.5 million to the injured claimant. Another plaintiff recovered $11 million against Ethicon in 2013.
- A separate 2013 case against C.R. Bard resulted in the award of $250,000 in compensatory damages and $1.75 million in punitive damages.
- Various negotiated settlement amounts have been obtained by plaintiffs, including Endo International’s announcement that it has agreed to pay $55 million in settlement compensation for an unrevealed number of lawsuits against their medical device unit, American Medical Systems (AMS).
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits are pending around the country.
Contact a Transvaginal Mesh Lawyer
Marc Whitehead & Associates are currently representing clients in vaginal mesh claims. If you received a vaginal mesh device and have suffered adverse side effects or complications, call our law firm at 1-855-423-3666.
In your free case evaluation, we will help you understand what might be done in your case, and if you are eligible for important compensation for your physical and emotional injuries. This is a confidential, effective way to let us know if you have questions, and to learn how we can assist you.
