Pennsylvania Plaintiff is one of several to be Awarded Millions in Ethicon Mesh Lawsuit.A Pennsylvania woman was awarded $57.1 million in a case involving complications resulting from a transvaginal mesh implant. The case is one of more than 100,000 that have been filed against the manufacturers of transvaginal mesh, including against Ethicon, which is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The massive number of complaints about injuries caused by transvaginal mesh led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reclassifying these devices as Class III, which is the riskiest form of a medical device approved by the FDA.
What is transvaginal mesh used for?
Transvaginal mesh is a device that is implanted into a patient’s vagina as a way to support her pelvic organs. The device is used in patients suffering from pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence. Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition that involves one of the pelvic organs, including the urethra, uterus, bladder, vagina, rectum, and small bowel, dropping and not being supported. Pelvic organ prolapse causes the organ to push against the walls of the individual’s vagina. It is possible for multiple organs to prolapse simultaneously.
Patients who suffer from pelvic organ relapse can experience discomfort and pain. The condition is often caused by weakened lower abdominal muscles and is frequently linked to stress on the body that occurs as the result of childbirth. Symptoms can be worsened by anything that causes increased pressure on the pelvic area, including constipation, pelvic organ tumors, and obesity.
The transvaginal mesh is meant to work as a hammock, preventing the organs from dropping further.
Stress urinary incontinence is a condition where urine leakage occurs as the result of exercise, coughing, sneezing, or laughing. This condition results from the weakening of muscles and tissues that support the part of the bladder that connects to the urethra. Childbirth, aging, and pelvic surgeries can all cause this condition. Mesh is sometimes used to support the urethra and stop the incontinence.
What Problems were caused by transvaginal mesh?
Transvaginal mesh was first used in the 1990’s and was approved by the FDA in 2002. By 2011, the FDA had received thousands of complaints about complications with transvaginal mesh. Women have experienced a number of injuries as the result of this product, including the erosion of the mesh through the vaginal wall, perforation of organs, pain, bleeding, infection, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), urinary problems, neuro-muscular problems, and vaginal scarring. Many of the complications require surgical procedures, and some of the injuries cause permanent damage.
Has transvaginal mesh been taken off the market?
Some doctors still perform surgeries using transvaginal mesh. This is despite the FDA reporting that complications with the device are “not rare,” and that the use of pelvic mesh to treat pelvic organ relapse has not been shown to be more effective than other forms of treatment.
The devastating complications suffered by many women have led to transvaginal mesh being subject to one of the largest mass tort claims in history.
Free Transvaginal Mesh Case Evaluation
If you were injured as the result of a defective or recalled transvaginal mesh, you could be eligible to recover compensation. Call Parker Waichman LLP today at 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for a free consultation with one of our experienced transvaginal mesh lawsuit attorneys.
