On this page, we will look at who qualifies to file a hernia mesh lawsuit. We will summarize the basic eligibility criteria that our firm is applying to screen potential hernia mesh lawsuits; and we will describe the relevant injuries associated with the hernia mesh lawsuits.
What are the Hernia Mesh Lawsuits About?
A hernia mesh is a small net or mesh used by doctors during hernia surgeries to strengthen and support the muscle tissue wall. Due to the frequency of hernia surgeries, thousands of these mesh implants are employed every year. Lawsuits primarily focus on permanent hernia mesh implants, distinct from dissolvable mesh. Permanent mesh is designed to remain in the body indefinitely after implantation, unlike dissolvable mesh. Unfortunately, some permanent hernia mesh implants exhibited design flaws, leading to severe complications after implantation.
Certain hernia mesh implants were not biologically inert, causing the body’s immune system to attack them post-implantation. Additionally, design imperfections caused many implants to irregularly adhere to nearby tissues or organs. These complications resulted in serious injuries, often requiring additional surgical intervention.
The various complications and problems with the hernia mesh implants has led to thousands of hernia mesh product liability lawsuits being filed across the country over the last several years. The hernia mesh lawsuits involve implant products manufactured by several different companies. The main 4 companies involved as defendants in the hernia mesh lawsuits are: C.R. Bard (now part of Beckton Dickinson), Covidien, and Atrium Medical Corp., and Ethicon (a J&J subsidiary).
The plaintiffs in hernia mesh lawsuits assert that the mesh was defectively designed and manufactured, resulting in various complications such as pain, infection, mesh migration, mesh shrinkage, perforation of organs, and recurrent hernias. Furthermore, the plaintiffs argue that companies like Bard and other manufacturers failed to adequately warn of these risks and did not provide sufficient instructions for safe use.
Who is Eligible to File a Hernia Mesh Lawsuit?
In order to be eligible to file a hernia mesh lawsuit and participate in any global settlement, potential claimants need to meet certain requirements. The basic eligibility requirements our firm uses are as follows:
Had Hernia Mesh Implanted: All potential hernia mesh plaintiffs must be able to show that they had a permanent hernia mesh product surgically implanted as part of a surgical procedure.
Experienced Post–Implantation Complications: The second requirement to qualify for a hernia mesh lawsuit is that the plaintiff must be able to show that they suffered post-surgery complications related to or caused by their hernia mesh implant.
Injuries: Finally, plaintiffs need to show that they suffered some type of physical injuries as a result of complications related to their hernia mesh implant.
Injuries and Complications Associated With Hernia Mesh Implants
There are a handful of complications or health problems that can be related to hernia mesh implants and these are the primary injuries involved in the hernia mesh lawsuits. Each of these complications and health problems is described below.
Mesh Adhesion: Hernia mesh adhesion is the formation of scar-like tissue around implanted mesh, connecting the mesh to internal tissue or organs. This adhesion can occur within a few days after surgery. Many hernia mesh manufacturers coat their devices to minimize the risk of adhesion.
The presence of extensive scar tissue surrounding the implanted mesh can complicate repairs and contribute to a cycle of continuous scar tissue development, necessitating further corrective surgeries. A study conducted in 2016 revealed that synthetic nondegradable mesh was associated with higher rates of adhesions, which is one of the key allegations in the hernia mesh lawsuits.
Mesh Infection: Hernia mesh infection occurs when bacteria proliferate on mesh implants, resulting in symptoms like fever, inflammation, and pain. Certain types of mesh may have a higher susceptibility to infection, and the likelihood of infection increases in individuals with underlying health issues such as obesity or diabetes.
Hernia mesh infections are deep, internal infections that develop around the mesh implant, which makes them different from wound infections at the surgical site. These infections in mesh implants can develop months or even years after the initial surgery. These type of mesh infections are directly related to and caused by defects in the design of the hernia mesh implants.
Of all the complications related to hernia mesh implants, mesh infection is the least common. Research indicates that between one and eight percent of individuals who undergo hernia repair surgery with mesh may experience infection.
Mesh Migration: Mesh migration occurs if the hernia mesh becomes detached (during surgery it is stitched in place) and shifts from its original position. This migration can result in various problems, such as fistulas, adhesions, abscesses, and bowel obstruction, and may also lead to infections.
Symptoms of hernia mesh migration include severe pain, nausea, fever, chills, vomiting, swelling, redness, skin irritation, fluid buildup, and weight loss. In some cases, however, no symptoms appear until the migrated mesh gives rise to a medical emergency.
Mesh Rejection: Mesh rejection is a complication that occurs when the body’s immune system treats the mesh implant as a foreign object and attacks it. Individuals with synthetic hernia mesh implants experience rejection at rates ranging from 5% to 30%. Inflammation and scarring around the implant site can also cause mesh rejection. Mesh rejection can be a very serious complication.
Bowel Obstruction: Bowel obstruction is a condition in which the normal flow of the contents of the intestines is partially or completely blocked. This obstruction can occur in the small intestine or the large intestine (colon) and prevents the passage of food, fluids, and gas through the digestive tract.
Bowel obstructions can potentially occur when a defective hernia mesh implant migrates after surgery. Once the mesh migrates out of position is can easily cause a bowel obstruction. Bowel obstruction is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Contact Us About Hernia Mesh Lawsuits
If you think you have a hernia mesh lawsuit, contact our lawyers today for a free case review. Call us at 888-310-3020 or contact us online.