A vaginal mesh lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit and C. R. Bard alleges that the vaginal mesh the plaintiff had implanted during surgery was defectively designed and caused her to sustain injury.

Plaintiff Karen M. states in her vaginal mesh lawsuit that she underwent surgery in May 2008 to treat urinary incontinence, urinary prolapse and cystocele. Karen had both the Gynecare TVT (transvaginal tape) and C.R. Bard Avaulta Solo Anterior Synthetic Support System pelvic mesh devices implanted by her urogynecological surgeon.

In August 2011, Karen had to undergo another surgery to treat her recurrent pelvic organ prolapse. During this second surgery, the Gynecare TVT-Exact pelvic mesh device was implanted.

According to the vaginal mesh lawsuit, “as a direct and proximate result of the defective nature of the Products as stated herein, Plaintiff began experiencing severe complications and injuries attributable to the Products.”

Karen stated that her complications from the vaginal mesh products included mesh erosion, dyspareunia (painful intercourse), recurrent pelvic organ prolapse, and chronic pelvic pain. Following the complications, Karen required a revision surgery to fix the problems that resulted from the products’’ use.

Karen claims she has suffered losses and will continue to suffer losses in the future. These losses include additional surgeries, costs of medical care, home health care, rehabilitation economic losses, mental and emotional distress and pain and suffering as a result of the allegedly defective products manufactured by Ethicon and C.R. Bard.

Thirteen counts against Ethicon were brought forth in the vaginal mesh lawsuit including: strict liability- failure to warn, design defect, negligence, fraudulent concealment, punitive damages, unjust enrichment, and violation of unfair or deceptive trade practices and/or consumer protection acts.

Karen is seeking compensatory damages, special damages including past and future medical expenses, cost for past and future rehabilitation and/or home health care, lost income, permanent disability and pain and suffering, double or triple damages as allowed by law, attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief as deemed appropriate by the court.

The Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 2:16-cv-00081, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine. It is part of the larger Vaginal Mesh Multidistrict Litigation In re Ethicon Inc., Pelvic Repair System Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2327.

Vaginal Mesh Complications

A number of complications have been reported as a result of using vaginal mesh or pelvic mesh to assist in correcting pelvic organ prolapse and urinary stress incontinence in women. These complications include, but are not limited to:

• Contraction or shrinkage of the product
• Degradation or fragmentation of the product
• Mesh erosion or extrusion
• Chronic inflammation
• Chronic Infection
• Vaginal and pelvic scarring
• Pelvic pain
• The need for revision or corrective surgery
• Pain experienced by male sexual partners

Filing a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit

If you have experienced complications following surgery using vaginal mesh or pelvic mesh devices, you may be entitled to legal compensation. An experienced attorney can review your case and can help you decide on your best course of legal action.