A Michigan woman claims in a vaginal mesh lawsuit that an Ethicon transvaginal mesh product caused serious injuries.

Plaintiff Sherri W. is one of the latest plaintiffs to join the tens of thousands of women who have filed vaginal mesh lawsuits against Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson for the TVT-Exact vaginal mesh that she had implanted in December of 2011.

Sherri brought seventeen counts against the manufacturers in this vaginal mesh lawsuit, including allegations of manufacturing and design defects, failure to warn, multiple counts of fraud and negligence, breach of implied and express warranty, violation of consumer protection laws, punitive damages, discovery rule and tolling, based on the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act, and unjust enrichment.

The Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-07244, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Charleston Division.

It is part of the Ethicon Transvaginal Mesh MDL known as In re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2327, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

What is Vaginal Mesh?

Vaginal mesh, also known as transvaginal mesh, is a plastic product made from polypropylene in the form of a net-like implant to be used in gynecological surgery applications. This material is used to assist surgeons to repair prolapsed pelvic organs in women and is also used in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

Pelvic organ prolapse and stress incontinence are common problems for women following hysterectomy or childbirth. In the case of a pelvic organ prolapse, the bladder, rectum and uterus drop into the vagina.

With stress urinary incontinence, women unintentionally lose urine when an activity puts stress on the bladder (such as sneezing, coughing, running, jumping or heavy lifting) due to loss of muscle control over the muscles that control the flow of urine.

Mesh products used in other gynecological applications are also referred to as are tvt mesh (tension-free vaginal tape), pelvic mesh, bladder sling, or a vaginal sling.

The way the various mesh implants work are essentially like a hammock or sling to support the organs and hold them in the proper place. The mesh implants are typically inserted vaginally or through the abdomen.

Transvaginal Mesh Complications

While some of these surgeries may be successful and life-changing for women in a number of positive ways, not all surgeries are without complication. Most problems occur when the surgery is performed through the vagina.

Early in 2015 it was reported that an estimated 70,000 women had filed lawsuits for complications arising from these products. The actual number of women affected negatively by these products and procedures is certainly much, much higher.

The FDA is aware of these complications, and in a July 2011 update it issued an new warning on the products, clearly stating they understand these complications are “not rare.”

The most commonly reported failures of these implants include mesh erosion and mesh shrinkage. When the mesh deteriorates prematurely throughout the vagina, it causes pain and problems with engaging in intercourse.

The mesh can break apart and the pieces can perforate organs, potentially causing life-threatening infections. Mesh erosion usually requires one or more surgeries to attempt to correct the erosion. In some women, multiple surgeries do not fix the complications.

Additionally, some men have experienced pain and irritation of the penis as it came into contact with the erosion during sexual intercourse with their affected partner.

Mesh shrinkage (also known as contraction) is another complication. The shrinkage causes the vagina to shorten and tighten, causing severe pelvic pain, painful intercourse or the inability to have intercourse.

Surgery is also needed for mesh contraction, and like the case with mesh erosion, multiple surgeries may still not fix the problem.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit Information

If you have experienced vaginal mesh complications, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit or join the MDL litigation already in progress. Our experienced attorneys can provide guidance during a initial consultation to discuss your options at no obligation or cost to you.