A woman from Alabama recently filed a hernia surgical mesh lawsuit, after allegedly experiencing serious device complications soon after her surgery.

This hernia mesh surgical mesh lawsuit is joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against Atrium Medical Corporation, consisting of claims from patients also alleging they suffered serious hernia mesh complications.

Plaintiff Deborah M. opted to file this hernia surgical mesh lawsuit, after discovering the company either knew or should have known of their device’s allegedly defective nature. According to the hernia surgical mesh lawsuit, Deborah opted to have the C-QUR hernia mesh product implanted on Sept. 9, 2010.

Deborah reportedly made this decision after discussing the option with her physician, who recommended the device for hernia repair. This is a typical use for the C-QUR hernia mesh device, with Atrium Medical marketing the product as a safe and effective treatment option for this condition.

The C-QUR and many other hernia mesh products consist of an Omega-3 fatty acid coating and are made from a polypropylene material, which is designed to induce inflammation. The inflammation encourages tissue growth in the hernia repair area, which causes tissue to form around the mesh and allow for a quick recovery.

Overview of Hernia Surgical Mesh Lawsuit

With these benefits in mind, Deborah says she had no reason to believe she was at risk for serious device complications. While Deborah reportedly suffered no initial complications, her hernia surgical mesh lawsuit cites several debilitating complications indicating device failure including: recurrence of hernia, mesh erosion, and foreign body reaction.

According to the hernia surgical mesh lawsuit, Deborah was forced to undergo revision surgery to remove the C-QUR mesh and resolve these complications on July 18, 2016. Even though the polypropylene material is purposefully used to induce inflammation, the potential for infection is also created if the swelling does not go down.

Hernia mesh inflammation often causes abdominal pain and tenderness, which is often accommodated by other troubling signs of infection. One of these signs is lack of healing in the surgical area, with heat also emitting from the incision. Sometimes infected hernia mesh can cause a seroma, or a buildup of fluid in the incision site, which will prevent the hernia from fully healing.

In addition, hernia mesh infection can potentially cause a biofilm, a group of highly organized bacteria colonies that is highly resistant to antibiotics. In order to properly treat the biofilim, revision surgery is necessary to remove the hernia mesh.

Even though these complications can be devastating to patients, Atrium Medical Corporation allegedly failed to warn against these problems. During all times relevant, Deborah claims, she and her physician relied on the medical device information provided by Atrium Medical Corporation, which she allegs did not disclose potential device complications that would require revision surgery.

Deborah states that she would not have opted for the C-QUR hernia mesh product, if she had known the risks associated with it. Deborah’s hernia surgical mesh lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2753, where it will be streamlined through the litigation process.

By joining an MDL, Deborah’s claim will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges or juries encountering duplicate evidence. Deborah’s hernia surgical mesh lawsuit is seeking multiple counts of damage, including negligence and failure to warn.

This Hernia Surgical Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00333-LM, in the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire.