More than 50,000 women have filed vaginal mesh lawsuits claiming that the medical implant designed to treat pelvic organ prolapse caused severe internal complications.

Manufacturers such as Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific made and marketed bladder slings (composed of vaginal mesh) to women as a discreet way to treat a medical condition that often occurs after childbirth, during menopause, or after having a hysterectomy. However, women filing transvaginal mesh lawsuits allege the side effects were so painful they typically were forced to undergo a second surgery to have the pelvic mesh removed.

Commonly reported vaginal mesh complications include:

• Painful sexual intercourse
• Perforated bladder
• Perforated bowel
• Bladder infections
• Vaginal infections
• Perforated blood vessels
• Urinary problems
• Vaginal scaring
• Multiple occurrences of pelvic organ prolapse

Transvaginal Mesh Problems

Transvaginal mesh is basically a hammock-like device that is implanted in the vaginal area to help with urinary problems. What was originally thought to be a medical breakthrough that gave women a better quality of life quickly started to show signs of complications.

Between 2005 and 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration received 4,000 reports of transvaginal mesh complications. The reports helped spur the FDA to announce in 2011 that serious complications associated with vaginal mesh procedures are not a rare side effect.

Organ perforation appears to be the most serious vaginal mesh complication. Organ perforation can lead to septic shock if urine or excrement leaks into the bloodstream. This is a life-threatening situation that requires the vaginal mesh be surgically removed.

Vaginal mesh erosion is also a serious side effect that occurs if the vaginal wall becomes scarred and infected.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits Overview

Plaintiffs filing surgical mesh lawsuits claim that implant manufacturers were reckless with their design and mislead patients into believing the product was a safe, effective treatment for pelvic organ prolapse.

A bladder sling lawsuit case list reports that there are currently more than 50,000 lawsuits against the top vaginal mesh manufacturers, including: 25,024 lawsuits concerning Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon device; 16,425 Boston Scientific cases; 10,763 Bard Avaulta lawsuits; 1,935 Coloplast cases; 299 Cook Medical lawsuits; and 86 Neomedic cases.

Some manufacturers are settling the vaginal mesh lawsuits for hefty sums. Vaginal mesh manufacturer Endo International has agreed to settle nearly 20,000 AMS vaginal mesh lawsuits with a $1.6 billion pay out, while Boston Scientific recently settled nearly 3,000 lawsuits for $119 million.

Women, spouses and families who have suffered from a bladder sling complication may be eligible to file a vaginal mesh lawsuit and receive compensation for medical bills, missed work, and pain and suffering.

Spouses can file surgical mesh lawsuits as co-plaintiffs and sue for loss of consortium (loss of intimacy), which could increase a settlement award. Families who have lost a loved one due to transvaginal mesh complications can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Contact a vaginal mesh attorney to find out if you have legal claim.