Injury, lawsuits involving transvaginal mesh device skyrocket
Transvaginal mesh implant devices are used to treat a variety of conditions such as Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence.
POP, as it’s known, is a condition that occurs in women after childbirth. Post birth, pelvic muscles can become weak and unable to support vital internal organs. The mesh device is threaded into the vaginal and used as a support. The mesh device is also used to treat stress urinary incontinence, a condition in which the muscles are unable to hold in urine. The device is used as an alternate support.
In 2010, over 300,000 women had surgery for pelvic organ prolapsed and 260,000 women for stress urinary incontinence.
Although seemingly a miracle device for those suffering from both conditions, many of these individuals have experienced serious side effects and problems as a result of their implants.
Mesh Implant complications
The devices began surfacing on the market about 15 years ago. However, soon after, patients began experiencing problems. Perforation of the bowl or bladder, erosion through the vaginal epithelium, infection, debilitating pain, and urinary problems are among the long list.
Many had to undergo blood transfusions, abscess draining or additional surgeries to correct the problem or remove the device.
Lawsuits
As a result, thousands of lawsuits have been filed in state and federal court against various mesh implant makers, including C.R. Bard and Johnson & Johnson.
Some manufacturers have agreed to settle. Endo Pharmaceutical, Inc., for instance, agreed to pay $54.5 million dollars into a settlement fund to compensate parties injured from their mesh device.
Some companies who aren’t settling are finding bad luck in court. In 2012, jurors in Bakersfield California awarded $5 million to a woman for her suffering as a result of injuries caused from the mesh implant. Early this year, jurors in South Dakota awarded a plaintiff over $10 million in compensatory and punitive damages for injuries incurred as a result of the vaginal mesh implant.
Continued litigation
It’s estimated that these lawsuits and settlements will continue within the next several years. There are over 10,000 mesh cases presently pending in various courts around the country and the FDA predicts roughly 1000 new cases have emerged within the last few years.
Legal recourse
If you or a loved one received a mesh implant, it’s important to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in handling this area of law to access your options under the law. Your lawyer can advocate for you and seek any and all available compensation including payment for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering among others.