Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Ethicon Inc. are facing a new hernia mesh lawsuit from a Virginia man alleging serious Physiomesh complications.

The man filed legal action soon after discovering other patients may have experienced similar Physiomesh complications. He alleges the companies either knew or should have known of the potential injuries associated with the medical device.

Plaintiff Scott H. reportedly suffered Physiomesh complications soon after having the hernia mesh product implanted for typical treatment purposes. According to the hernia mesh lawsuit, Scott had the Physiomesh Composite mesh implanted on Jan. 28, 2013 for umbilical hernia repair.

Scott, however, allegedly began experiencing serious Physiomesh complications in just a little over a year after implantation. Scott was forced to undergo revision surgery on March 24, 2014, in order to help treat the Physiomesh complications.

During the revision surgery, surgeons discovered Scott had been suffering from recurrent umbilical hernia with adhesion and detached hernia mesh around the surgical area. At this point in time, Scott says he continues to suffer from injuries allegedly caused by Physiomesh complications and has had to contend with intense hospital treatment and mounting medical bills.

Scott had opted to file a hernia mesh lawsuit, alleging the company failed to disclose the risk information to him or his operating physicians. In addition, Johnson & Johnson had marketed the Physiomesh hernia mesh device as a safe and effective treatment device for hernias.

Overview of Physiomesh Complications

The Physiomesh consists of five distinct coating layers, consisting of two polyglecaprone-25 (“Monocryl”) film covering two underlying layers of polydioxanone film (“PDS”), which is supposed to keep the device sterile and safe for implantation.

However, the hernia mesh lawsuit and injury reports from other patients allege these films may be contributing to inflammation and adhesion development around the implant site.

It has been alleged that hernia Physiomesh complications may stem from patients’ having an adverse biological reaction to the mesh material that may result in adhesions, inflammation, and infection. The device’s coating layers also prevent fluid escape, which may lead to Physiomesh complications including:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Adhesions
• Obstructions
• Mesh migration
• Bacterial infections
• Hernia recurrence

The Physiomesh Composite mesh recently underwent a market withdrawal in May 2016, but Ethicon failed to adequately describe potential factors behind the high failure rate. Ethicon stated the failure rate could be caused be several factors including: hernia mesh design, inaccurate physician’s instructions, and poor patient selection.

Regardless of the cause of the alleged device failures, it is important for the manufacturing company to clearly describe potential injuries their product can cause. Scott states that not only did the company fail to disclose any of this information to him, but they also failed to provide any relevant studies.

At all times relevant, Scott says he had used the hernia mesh for its intended purpose and did not deviate from physician’s instructions. Even with this diligence, Scott still allegedly experienced Physiomesh complications and eventually had to undergo revision surgery to treat them.

Scott states that he never would have opted for the medical product, if he had known about potential Physiomesh complications.

This Hernia Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-06913-PGS-DEA, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.