Don't Deal With a Personal Injury On Your Own

Don't Deal With a Personal Injury On Your Own

Transvaginal Mesh Injury Lawsuits On The Rise

by Joan Bradley

Transvaginal mesh, a product designed to help women with pelvic prolapse and severe incontinence, can actually pose a significant health risk, according to reports by the Food and Drug Administration. In 2008, the agency cautioned medical providers and patients that the mesh used to create a bladder support or sling could bond with and damage other organs and vessels. In 2011, the FDA upgraded the warning, cautioning that the device was actually likely to cause harm for patients. The resulting injuries have led to a large number of transvaginal mesh lawsuits and settlements against the manufacturer of the device and the physicians  using it. 

What is wrong with transvaginal mesh? 

The mesh used as a bladder support is a synthetic, knit fiber designed to hold organs into place and support weakened pelvic muscles. Problems occur when the mesh works too well, bonding with muscles, organs, nerves and vessels and obstructing blood flow and urine. Since the material bonds with tissue, removal is a complicated process that can cause long-lasting damage. Many women who have had mesh removed need multiple surgeries to repair the resulting damage and restore function.

Despite FDA cautions and the clear risk of damage from the product, manufacturers continued to produce the mesh and gynecologists and urogynecologists continued to use it for prolapsed pelvis and bladder surgeries. The FDA regulates drugs, but not medical devices, so it was unable to pull the faulty product from the market, resulting in a high number of injuries that could have been prevented. 

Common injuries caused by transvaginal mesh removal surgery:

  • Significant pain and discomfort from physical damage to the vagina and bladder
  • Severe incontinence and urinary urgency
  • Loss of sexual desire or function
  • Chronic urinary tract infections, resulting in over-use of antibiotics
  • Bowel and urethra damage or obstruction
  • Relapse and recurrence of the original condition, with added complications from embedded mesh

What to do if you have pain or multiple surgeries from transvaginal mesh:

If you have had surgery to repair or support a prolapsed pelvis or bladder from 2005–2013 and transvaginal mesh was used in your surgery, you could be experiencing some of the known problems caused by the product. You may be entitled to damages for your injuries and resulting problems caused by mesh removal. The best way to learn about your legal options and possibilities is to have your case reviewed by a knowledgeable personal injury attorney from a firm like Brown Beattie O'Donovan.


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Don't Deal With a Personal Injury On Your Own

You walk into your favorite grocery store and right away, you slip and fall only to sprain your ankle. You can't perform your job because it requires standing on your feet all day, which means that you can't make any money to support your family while your ankle heals. There was no warning that the floors were wet after being cleaned in the store – so what do you do? It's probably a good idea to think about filing a personal injury lawsuit. Of course, anyone with experience with a personal injury case will tell you just how important it is to work with an attorney throughout the process. I'd like to share insight I've learned through three personal injury cases that I myself have had to go through in the past. I think the information on this website can help people like you, who need some personal injury guidance.