A man has filed a lawsuit against Atrium Medical Corp. after he developed a hernia mesh infection.

Eric H. was implanted with Atrium’s C-Qur mesh as part of a hernia repair performed on Feb. 28, 2012.

He had the mesh removed Aug. 23, 2012 because of a hernia mesh infection that led to severe abdominal pain, digestive problems, scar tissue and adhesions.

Eric’s hernia mesh infection lawsuit is one of many similar claims in a multidistrict litigation, or MDL, against Atrium.

Plaintiffs in the MDL allege Atrium’s C-Qur line of mesh products has several alleged problems that interfere with patients healing properly.

An Omega 3 fatty acid fish oil coats the mesh to form a barrier between the mesh product and the patient’s internal muscle or fatty area.  Plaintiffs allege that because the coating is derived from fish, patients allergic to fish could have reactions ranging from rashes to death.

Atrium allegedly misled doctors about the ability of the Omega 3 fish oil coating to cause allergic reactions and tried to convince doctors that allergic reactions were from different sources.

The hernia mesh infection lawsuit says, “Defendants intentionally, or at very least, recklessly disregarded human life by lying to physicians about the possible causes of the allergic reaction, resulting in significantly more severe injuries in those already implanted with the C-Qur Mesh, and more patients nationwide being implanted with the C-Qur Mesh.”

Hernia Mesh Infection Caused by Poor Packaging

Eric’s hernia mesh infection lawsuit alleges Atrium used a chemical designed to keep the mesh product sterile. This chemical needed to maintain a certain level of moisture to avoid degrading.

Atrium is accused of allowing the mesh to sit in an environment that was too dry for the chemical to maintain its antibacterial properties. As a result, the chemical was unable to effectively prevent infection.

That lack of moisture also allegedly caused the fish oil coating to separate from the mesh and to stick to the packaging. This allowed the mesh product to irritate the internal areas where contact was made.

The C-Qur mesh products are made of polypropylene surgical netting, which plaintiffs say is not compatible with human tissue. A large subset of the population generates an immune response to the mesh material, according to plaintiffs.

“This immune response promotes degradation of the polypropylene mesh, as well as the surrounding tissue, and can contribute to the formation of severe adverse reactions to the mesh,” claims the hernia mesh infection complaint.

Even though C-Qur mesh products are intended for permanent implantation into the human body, the material safety data sheet regarding polypropylene warns that it is prohibited to permanently implant the substance into the human body.

If you or someone you love has suffered from a hernia mesh infection after hernia surgery, you could benefit from speaking with an attorney regarding your legal options.

The Hernia Mesh Infection Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-00471-LM and is part of the Atrium Medical Hernia Mesh MDL, In re: Atrium Medical Corp. C-QurMesh Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 16-md-2753-LM, in the U.S. District Court for the District Court of New Hampshire.