What Hernia Mesh Defect Victims Need to Know About Getting Compensation
A hernia is a localized bulge that most often occurs in the abdomen or the groin. It is a relatively common medical condition. While small hernias do not always require medical treatment, this condition can require surgery.
According to data from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approximately one million hernia repairs are performed by medical professionals each year.
To strengthen the hernia repair, surgeons frequently use a medical device called a ‘hernia mesh’ or, alternatively, ‘surgical mesh’. Unfortunately, in many cases, these medical devices have been linked to serious injuries and major health complications.
At the Sonn Law Group, our hernia mesh lawsuit attorneys are strong and committed advocates for injured victims and their family members. We know how to hold negligent medical device manufacturers accountable. If you or your loved one is considering filing a hernia mesh recall lawsuit, it is essential that you have an experienced legal professional by your side.
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Hernia Mesh Recall Lawsuits
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Hernia Mesh Recall: Understanding the Basics
In the most simple terms, a surgical mesh is little more than a loosely woven sheet. It is often made of polypropylene or another type of synthetic material. When it works properly, the mesh will help to provide support for organs and tissue during an operation.
While surgical meshes are used in a number of different specific contexts, they are most frequently associated with hernia surgery. In theory, the surgical mesh should help the patient by making the operation more smooth and by preventing the possible recurrence of the hernia. Sadly, in far too many cases, hernia mesh leads to serious problems.
Over the last few decades, several hernia mesh devices have been recalled by federal regulators. In recent years, abdominal hernia mesh lawsuits and inguinal hernia mesh lawsuits have been filed against a number of different companies. Indeed, the following manufacturers and distributors of hernia mesh have been subject to product safety recalls and/or defective medical device lawsuits:
- Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon;
- R. Bard and Davol;
- Atrium;
- Medtronic;
- Covidien
Unfortunately, there is now a wide body of evidence indicating that hernia meshes are causing serious injuries and medical complications to patients. In fact, some recent studies have found that as many as 7.3 percent of hernia mesh operations have resulted in infections or other serious medical complications.
Alarmingly, some of the largest medical device manufacturers have long known that there are safety problems with these products. In 2018, newly published memos revealed that hernia mesh maker C.R. Bard may have known about these issues as far back as 1997 — more than a decade before any information was ever made public.
Common Complications Associated With Hernia Mesh Implants
The injuries and medical complications linked to defective hernia mesh come in a wide range of different forms. Each patient’s situation requires a fully individualized medical assessment. There is no ‘single’ way in which hernia meshes cause problems for innocent patients. These devices can cause adverse side effects in many ways. Typically, the complications involve one (or more) of the following:
- Migration: A defective hernia mesh may migrate from one part of the body to another. Depending on the location and the extent of the migration, this can result in serious bleeding, infection, fistula formation, the recurrence of a hernia, and significant pain and suffering. When migration occurs, a second surgical operation is almost always required to address the problem.
- Contraction: When a hernia mesh contracts, it essentially collapses — meaning it no longer covers the proper location. Infections and bleeding are often symptoms of contraction. Following a hernia mesh contraction, professional medical attention is a must.
- Adhesion: Hernia mesh adhesion generally involves scar tissue fusing other tissues together. In most cases, this results in the patient feeling considerable pain. Adhesion treatment will vary based on multiple factors. In some cases, antibiotics and pain treatment will be sufficient to treat this issue. However, in other cases, an additional operation may be necessary.
- Obstruction: When a defective hernia mesh leads to an obstruction, it means that there has been a blockage in the large intestine or in the small intestine. Bowel obstruction is an all-too-common symptom of hernia mesh. Unfortunately, this complication often requires an additional surgery.
- Perforation: Perforation occurs when damage (a hole) is formed in an organ that neighbors the hernia mesh. This is a very serious, potentially life-threatening complication. Bowel perforation, bladder perforation, and blood vessel perforation have all been linked to hernia mesh.
Hernia Mesh Lawsuit: Compensation Available to Injured Victims
Through a hernia mesh lawsuit, patients can seek financial compensation for their monetary losses and their noneconomic damages. The value of hernia mesh case will vary based on the specific circumstances. Though, as severe injuries and fatalities have been linked to hernia mesh, some cases have been settled for millions in compensation.
An experienced defective medical device lawyer can help you obtain the maximum available settlement offer or jury verdict. Financial relief may be available for:
- Emergency medical expenses;
- Other medical bills;
- Rehabilitative care;
- Lost wages;
- Loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Tragically, in the worst cases, complications related to hernia mesh can result in death. If your family member died as a result of a defective hernia mesh, you should speak to a qualified wrongful death attorney immediately. While no lawsuit can ever make up for the loss of a loved one, it is crucial that you and your family get justice and financial support. Our experienced hernia mesh injury attorneys can help.
Hernia Mesh Lawsuit 2018: How to Check the Recall Status
If you believe that you or your family member is having any type of issue related to a hernia mesh, it is imperative that you consult with your physician right away. Hernia mesh complications are a serious issue and they always require immediate medical attention. Emergency medical needs come first.
From there, you can also check on the recall status of the specific medical device that was used during your operation. The FDA keeps an official Medical Device Recalls database that is accessible to the public. To use this database, you will need some basic information about the hernia mesh you received; specifically:
- The product name;
- The product code; and
- The product manufacturer.
This information can usually be found within your medical records. If, for whatever reason, you cannot find the information that you need to check the recall status, you should not hesitate to reach out to an experienced legal professional. If you or your loved one received a hernia mesh and you believe that you suffered an injury or health complications as a result, please contact a qualified attorney right away.
How Our Hernia Mesh Lawyers Can Help
Defective medical device claims are complex. To effectively pursue financial compensation, you need an advocate on your side. Our attorneys help injured victims pursue lawsuits against negligent medical device manufacturers. We know how to hold the makers of dangerous hernia mesh products accountable.
Our law firm carefully follows all development related to these cases, including new medical research reports, FDA recalls, and recent hernia mesh lawsuits that have been filed. We will conduct a careful assessment of your case, explain your options to you, and help you take action to pursue fair financial compensation.
Get Help From a Hernia Mesh Injury Attorney Today
At Sonn Law Group, our defective medical device lawyers are committed to helping injured victims recover the maximum available financial compensation. If you or your family member suffered any type of injury or medical complications related to hernia mesh, we are here to help. For a free, fully confidential consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our legal team today.
DISCLAIMER: This article contains opinions and not statements of fact in any way whatsoever. The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
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