Defective Hernia Mesh Causing Harm to Hernia Repair Patients - What You Need to Know | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Each year, nearly half a million people under hernia repair surgeries. Unfortunately, many of them experienced serious, debilitating harm as a result of defective hernia mesh implants.

Understanding the Hernia Patch and Hernia Mesh Surgery

The vast majority of hernia surgeries performed in the United States involve the use of hernia mesh or a hernia patch. These devices are designed to close a wound and help heal the underlying tissue. Years after hernia repair products were introduced to the open market, patients suffered serious complications and side effects. Further investigation revealed dangerous defects in hernia mesh and hernia patch devices. 

Hernia Mesh Complications 

Thousands of people across the country have suffered severe pain and disability, including hernia recurrence and the need for a “revision” surgery to remove the defective hernia patch.  Other common side effects of a defective hernia mesh include:

  • Bowel perforation
  • Constipation
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Insomnia
  • Irritable bowel
  • Scarring
  • Severe, frequent pain

A prime example of the extensive harm that can be inflicted on someone by defective hernia mesh is a Florida woman who filed a lawsuit against Ethicon, a prominent hernia mesh manufacturer, in claiming that the company’s Physiomesh device not only caused her chronic pain but blocked her intestines. If that was not bad enough, she was informed by her doctor that the hernia mesh could not be surgically removed because it was “embedded” in the wall of her abdomen. This means she will have to struggle with this foreign device inside her abdomen for the rest of her life.

Multiple Recalls Involving Hernia Mesh Medical Devices

There have been numerous hernia mesh recalls. For example, C.R. Bard, the manufacturer of the Kugel mesh patch, issued three recalls in 2005, 2006 and 2007 because its patch could cause a life-threatening bowel perforation.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled eight different Kugel hernia patch device models between 2006 and 2007.

Ethicon has not issued an official recall of its Physiomesh mesh device, but it pulled the mesh device off the market in 2016.

FDA Issues Warning to Patients About Hernia Mesh Defects

In April of 2016 the FDA declared that there were “many complications” related to hernia repair with surgical mesh and these complications were associated with recalled hernia mesh products that are no longer on the market. The FDA also revealed that, after examining medical adverse event reports to the FDA, recalled hernia mesh products were the main cause of bowel perforation and obstruction complications in the United States.

Here is a video of a doctor from the University of Utah explaining the FDA warning and some of the serious hernia mesh complications:

Why Does Hernia Mesh Cause So Many Complications?

What causes the complications can vary depending on the hernia mesh product. Many hernia mesh products contain a type of plastic known as polypropylene. This plastic is used to make many different pelvic mesh and bladder slings. Here’s the problem – polypropylene is not meant to be permanently implanted into a human body. In fact, there’s an express warning on polypropylene contains stating that human implantation is prohibited. Nevertheless, hernia mesh manufacturers use polypropylene.

Take Action Now Against Hernia Mesh Manufacturers

If you or a loved one underwent a hernia repair surgery and you suffered serious complications, you may be able to seek financial restitution through a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. Thousands of lawsuits have already been filed over surgical hernia mesh complications and manufacturers are entering into large settlements to compensate victims. For example, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay more than $120 million to resolve nearly three thousand lawsuits brought on behalf of women who suffered organ damage and were left in constant pain by hernia mesh products, according to Bloomberg News.  In addition, C.R. Bard agreed to a $184 million settlement in a case involving complications associated with its Kugel patch.

Contact Our Firm Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation

Now is the time to speak to an experienced hernia mesh injury lawyer with our firm. You do not get an infinite amount of time to file a lawsuit against a hernia mesh manufacturer. You should seek out legal representation sooner rather than later to avoid having your case barred under the statute of limitations. Contact our personal injury law firm’s office by phone or by filling out the quick contact form on this page. An attorney will respond within hours.

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