Should I Hire An Attorney If I’ve Had Transvaginal Mesh Complications?
Complications from transvaginal mesh procedures have been in the public eye since the late 2000s. Claims that the procedure was not properly tested before it was marketed to doctors and physicians have led to over 100,000 lawsuits against device manufacturers from women who experienced serious complications following the use of transvaginal mesh. If you have had a procedure that used transvaginal mesh and experienced painful complications, discuss your situation with an attorney.
Complications from Transvaginal Mesh
Transvaginal mesh is used to give better suspension to the tissues in the vagina, to prevent the bladder, uterus or rectum from descending from the vagina – a condition called pelvic organ prolapse. The mesh essentially reinforces the existing native tissue in the vagina to provide better support.
Doctors introduced the procedure in the early 2000s to replace a previous procedure that had a high failure rate. However, transvaginal mesh was introduced so quickly that it wasn’t properly tested for long-term results. At the time it went on the market, there was no long-term data or clinical trials.
Women started complaining of pain, bleeding and erosion from transvaginal mesh. In some cases, the mesh can move from the vaginal wall to other organs causing serious issues. The FDA released warnings in 2008 and 2011, and in 2014 it reclassified transvaginal mesh procedures from moderate-risk to high-risk.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
Lawsuits against device manufacturers started to appear in the late 2000s. In January 2016, Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $120 million settlement, settling up to 3,000 lawsuits with over 42,000 still pending against the manufacturer of one popular transvaginal mesh product. The plaintiffs claim they suffered organ damage and were left in constant pain because of the product, and allege that it was poorly designed and poorly tested.
Johnson & Johnson is just one of several device makers who are embroiled in product liability lawsuits. If you have been harmed by a transvaginal mesh procedure, you could be due compensation for pain, suffering, lost wages and more. Discuss your situation with an Arkansas transvaginal mesh attorney to determine if you are one of the tens of thousands who has been affected by this product.