When a person gets a medical device implanted, the intention is to improve upon a condition that they are experiencing or to extend the life of the individual. However, there are many cases where medical devices fail to meet this need and possibly cause additional health problems for the patient. When a medical device fails as the result of a defect in design, manufacture or because of an improper use of the product, the injured party may have the right to seek compensation. The advice of a medical device injury attorney can be useful if you believe that you have suffered as the result of one of these products.
What is transvaginal mesh?
Transvaginal mesh is a type of surgical mesh that is designed to treat conditions that are related to a weakening of the pelvic muscles. This type of surgical mesh is used to support organs that start to migrate as the result of the weakened muscles. The mesh can be made from a range of different materials and it also comes in different shapes and sizes depending on the intended use. The common problems that transvaginal mesh has been applied to are pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
What problems have people experienced?
Initially, surgeons moved to the use of transvaginal mesh because it seemed like a less invasive and low risk way to treat these conditions. Unfortunately, it took the medical community and the FDA many years to identify the problems associated with transvaginal mesh and the particularly high rate of complication that patients were experiencing. The following list includes some of the more common problems that resulted from the implantation of transvaginal mesh products.
- The area of the mesh becoming prone to infection
- The individual experiencing pain in the area around the mesh
- Pain and discomfort associated with intercourse
- Mesh erosion
- Protrusion of the mesh material
- Vaginal scarring
- Bleeding in the area of the mesh
- Nerve damage
- The recurrence of prolapse
- Organ perforation
- Problems causing the need for revision surgery
Who is liable for damage in claims for medical device injury?
With claims for faulty medical devices, there could be a range of different parties to hold liable. In the case of transvaginal mesh lawsuits, the manufacturers of these products have already settled numerous claims for a total of millions of dollars being paid to the plaintiffs. Additionally, the distributors of the medical device, the doctor that recommended the surgery and the hospital can all be held liable depending on the circumstances of the claim.
Find an experienced attorney
If you have a claim involving transvaginal mesh or any other medical device, then you need a personal injury lawyer that understands medical device injury litigation. With these cases, many different legal theories may apply and you need an attorney that not only understands the legal issues, but one that also has a good grasp of the medical concerns that are involved. The services of an experience medical device injury lawyer can make a major difference for claims relating to transvaginal mesh implants.