An Alabama couple  filed a vaginal mesh lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon over allegations that the company designed a defective and dangerous pelvic mesh product, placing economic gain over the health and safety of consumers.

Plaintiffs Erin and Willie J. have accused Johnson & Johnson of exaggerating the benefits of the vaginal mesh implant, which misled the couple into believing it was a safe treatment of pelvic organ prolapse.

According to the vaginal mesh lawsuit, Erin was implanted with a bladder sling in 2012 and since then she has experienced severe physical pain and emotional distress. The plaintiffs allege Erin has sustained permanent injury and will be forced to undergo another surgical procedure in order to correct the situation.

The couple claims that Johnson & Johnson designed a vaginal mesh product that was defectively manufactured posing a hazard to consumers. The bladder sling lawsuit alleges that the defendants failure to warn of the risks by concealing any safety concerns in order to advance their profits.

The vaginal mesh lawsuit states that instead of warning consumers, Johnson & Johnson chose to over-promote its pelvic mesh product which was a “wanton and willful disregard for the rights and health of plaintiff Erin.”

The couple alleges that they have suffered financial loss due to medical bills. Erin claims to suffer from permanent pain, disability and loss of enjoyment of life; while her husband Willie is suing for loss of consortium. They are seeking $75,000 in financial compensation.

Vaginal Mesh Complications

Vaginal mesh is essentially a hammock-like device that is implanted in the vaginal area to treat pelvic organ prolapse and help with urinary problems. Bladder slings were originally marketed as a discreet way for women to treat these common medical conditions that occur after childbirth, after a hysterectomy or during menopause. However, what was once thought to be a medical breakthrough, quickly started to show signs of complications.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration received 4,000 adverse reports of transvaginal mesh problems between 2005 and 2010. By 2011, the FDA announced that bladder sling complications should no longer be considered a rare side effect of the implant.

Commonly reported transvaginal mesh complications include:

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

The most severe bladder sling complication appears to be organ perforation which can lead to septic shock if urine or excrement has the ability to leak into the bloodstream, which can be a life-threatening situation.

Bladder Sling Lawsuits

More than 50,000 vaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed by women who claim the implant caused severe complications. Many of those filed so far are by women who allege the vaginal mesh side effects were so painful they had to undergo a second surgery in order to have the bladder sling removed.

In general, plaintiffs who file a transvaginal mesh lawsuit are seeking financial compensation to help pay for medical treatments, missed work, as well as for the pain and suffering they have endured. Contact a vaginal mesh attorney to find out if you have legal claim.

The Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-12616 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.