Transvaginal Mesh Erosion
Lawsuits alleging transvaginal mesh erosion, organ perforation and other complications are on the rise as women in the U.S. continue to come forward to file claims against companies whose products have allegedly caused them to suffer injuries.
As of May 2013, approximately 8,000 claims, many of which allege transvaginal mesh organ perforation, had been filed in U.S. courts. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also counted approximately 3,800 transvaginal mesh complication reports stemming from devices manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit, Boston Scientific, American Medical Systems and C.R. Bard Inc.
By filing vaginal mesh lawsuits against medical device manufacturers, women are hoping to be compensated for the medical bills, lost wages as well as any overall pain and suffering their injury caused. If you are looking to file a suit alleging injuries from vaginal mesh, the attorneys at Bernstein Liebhard LLP can help walk you through the legal process. Call to speak with a lawyer directly.
Transvaginal Mesh Erosion and other Complications
Erosion through the vaginal epithelium is a common side effect associated with transvaginal mesh, and results when the mesh migrates away from the vaginal wall. In some cases, the surgical material moves into the surrounding organs and may erode to the point where it travels outside the vaginal opening.
Unfortunately for many women, this complication requires revision surgery to correct.
The following injuries have been named in lawsuits involving this surgical material:
- Infection
- Pain
- Infection
- Urinary problems
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and/or incontinence (SUI).
- Bowel, bladder, and blood vessel perforation
- Vaginal scarring
Women who leave this condition untreated may experience bladder and/or bowel damage, abscesses or fistulas. It is imperative that you contact your doctor if you are suffering any symptoms that may indicate the presence of this complication.
Another scary side effect of leaving mesh erosion untreated is transvaginal mesh perforation, which can occur over time involving the bowel, bladder, colon, urethra or vagina. The FDA revealed in its 2011 Safety Communication that perforation had led to seven deaths, which may have been caused by fluid leaking from the punctured organ. A severe blood infection called sepsis may then result, and could turn fatal.
If you are suffering from transvaginal mesh perforation, you may be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal bleeding in the urine or stools
- Abdominal pain
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Infection
- Confusion, delirium
- Chills
- Fever, low body temperature
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
Thousands of federally-filed lawsuits alleging complications from transvaginal mesh erosion and perforation are now pending in separate multidistrict litigations underway in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. Transvaginal mesh products manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit, Boston Scientific, American Medical Systems and C.R. Bard Inc. have been named in vaginal mesh lawsuits that have been filed.
At the state court level, hundreds of claims involving mesh manufactured by Ethicon have been consolidated in a litigation underway in New Jersey. In fact, a Master Case List update on May 4th, 2013 indicated there were 2,682 lawsuits filed in New Jersey’s Atlantic County Superior Court.
For the proceeding, Jeffrey S. Grand, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, is serving as Co-Liaison Counsel. (In re: Pelvic Mesh/Gynecare Litigation, No. 6341-10).
File a Lawsuit Alleging Transvaginal Mesh Erosion, Organ Perforation
If the symptoms listed above sound painfully familiar, it is in your best interest to seek the advice of a lawyer at Bernstein Liebhard LLP. To find out more about your legal options, call .
