Vaginal Mesh Side Effects

Serious complications of vaginal mesh are not rare, according to the FDA. The agency has issued multiple warnings due to the risk of vaginal mesh erosion, perforation of internal organs, severe scarring, nerve damage, and pelvic pain. These complications often require multiple corrective surgeries, but even surgery may not be able to cure every complication. Recently, a woman was awarded $5.5 million after she filed a vaginal mesh lawsuit for her severe injuries.

Do I Have a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one has been injured by vaginal mesh side effects, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a vaginal mesh lawsuit.

Overview

Vaginal mesh is a medical device that is also sometimes known as transvaginal mesh, pelvic mesh, tape, or a sling. It is an implanted mesh that is inserted through incisions in the vagina. It is usually placed in the center of the pelvis, where it acts like a hammock to support weakened pelvic muscles, which is a common complication following multiple pregnancies. Weak muscles may allow abdominal organs to protrude into the vagina (called “Pelvic Organ Prolapse”) or cause incontinence by allowing the urethra to open (called “Stress Urinary Incontinence”).

Four manufacturers of vaginal mesh are currently facing lawsuits in federal court from women who were injured by these devices. The manufacturers are:

• C.R. Bard — Avaulta vaginal mesh
• Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit — Gynecare Prolift vaginal mesh
• Boston Scientific Corp.
• American Medical Systems

Vaginal Mesh Erosion

The FDA has warned that the most common vaginal mesh side effect is vaginal mesh erosion. This occurs when the edges of the mesh wear into tissues and organs around the mesh. Over time, the mesh may actually perforate the vagina, intestines, bladder, blood vessels, or other tissues in the vagina. In some cases, this can cause life-threatening sepsis infections.

Many women who suffer from vaginal mesh erosion require surgery, hospitalization, IV therapy, blood transfusions, and drainage of abscesses or hematomas. Despite surgery, vaginal mesh erosion can be recurrent, and some patients require multiple surgeries.

Each surgery causes the patient enormous pain and suffering, expenses, and debilitating. Multiple surgeries may not be able to correct all vaginal mesh side effects, and the scar tissue may cause permanent disfigurement of the vagina. Incurable complications of vaginal mesh erosion can severely decrease a woman’s quality of life.

Vaginal Mesh Side Effects

In 2008, the FDA published a Safety Communication to warn that vaginal mesh side effects were “not rare” — the agency had received more than 1,000 reports of serious vaginal mesh side effects. The FDA updated this communication in 2011 to warn that they continued to receive thousands of reports of side effects.

Vaginal mesh side effects may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Pelvic pain
• Perforation of the vagina, intestines, bladder, blood vessels, or other tissue in the pelvic area
• Severe scarring from multiple surgeries
• Disfigurement of the vagina
• Shortening of the vagina
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Inability to have sexual intercourse
• Infection, which may be life-threatening
• Bleeding, vaginal discharge
• Incontinence
• Recurrent pelvic organ prolapse (protruding organs into the vagina)
• Emotional trauma
• Neuromuscular problems

$5.5 Million Award in Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit

Have you been injured by a vaginal mesh side effect? If you decide to file a vaginal mesh lawsuit, you could be entitled to significant financial compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, decreased quality of life, and more.

In July 2012, Christine Scott and her husband were awarded $5.5 million for their vaginal mesh lawsuit, which was the first-ever lawsuit to go to trial. Christine had the C.R. Bard Avaulta vaginal mesh, which perforated her intestines. She required eight surgeries, and may require more to correct problems with her implant. She now suffers from permanent pain, scarring, and tissue damage and is unable to have sexual intercourse. Christine was awarded $5 million, and her husband was awarded $500,000 for loss of consortium.

There are currently 650 more vaginal mesh lawsuits pending in federal court, and women continue to contact vaginal mesh lawyers seeking justice for their injuries.

Do I have a Vaginal Mesh Side Effects Lawsuit?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $60 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact us for a free vaginal mesh lawsuit review.