Pelvic Mesh: Solution and Problem

Since 1999, millions of women have been implanted with pelvic mesh, a hammock-like patch placed on the vagina wall to treat such conditions as pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Prolapse may occur after childbirth or hysterectomy when the pelvic organs, including the bladder, bowel, and rectum, weaken to the point of bulging into the vagina.
In most cases, the mesh solution works. In about 10 percent of cases, however, it does not. When it does not work, women experience bleeding, organ perforation, infection, urinary problems, and pain during intercourse. Mesh erosion is also common. When the mesh breaks down inside the body, removing the fragments can be a big problem.
FDA Warnings
The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about mesh complications in 2008. In 2011, it updated the warning, calling the number of complications “high.” The following year, the FDA called on manufacturers to conduct studies on the product. It also claimed that it found no conclusive evidence that pelvic mesh repaired such problems better than any other methods.
Mesh Lawsuits
The result of problems with transvaginal mesh has turned into thousands of federal lawsuits. Patients charge that their quality of life has been impaired since many are in constant pain. So far, more than 49,000 federal lawsuits have been filed against seven mesh manufacturers. A settlement in 2013, for instance, cost Johnson & Johnson $3.35 million for not warning an impaired South Dakota woman of the dangers of a mesh implant.
Manufacturers such as Johnson & Johnson may be held liable for mesh implant problems, but the charge may also apply to doctors. Medical malpractice may be charged if the doctor failed to warn the patient of possible complications or failed to install the implant properly.
Getting Legal Help
If you have serious complications after receiving a mesh implant, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries. However, pursuing a mesh case can be a complicated endeavor, including compiling medical evidence, gathering witnesses, and gaining a thorough knowledge of the laws that govern product liability. If you are considering the possibility of joining the protests against improperly administered mesh products, first discuss that possibility with a qualified and experienced attorney who has knowledge of medical devices and the complications that can result.
A class action lawsuit is a difficult legal process, but it may be the only way to get just compensation. A qualified mesh lawyer can discuss whether filing a class
action would be the right step for you. Let a qualified lawyer explain the process and the possibility of justice in your case. Millions of dollars have already been paid by manufacturers to women who have suffered unjustly from these products. Contact a lawyer today to learn if you can join the justified fight.