Johnson & Johnson is facing a new Proceed ventral patch lawsuit filed by couple from Alabama, alleging their hernia mesh product had caused the patient to suffer serious device complications.

The Proceed ventral patch lawsuit claims the defective nature of the product stems from its design and material that allegedly increase the chances of infection.

Plaintiff couple Selina H. and Ned H. conjointly filed the Proceed ventral patch lawsuit soon after discovering other patients had suffered similar hernia mesh related injuries.

Like other hernia mesh products, the Proceed ventral patch is meant for hernia repair and is designed to encourage healing in the muscle and inner tissue of the affected area. According to Proceed ventral patch lawsuit, Selina underwent hernia repair surgery on June 4, 2010 and had initially responded well to the device.

However, Selina says she underwent revision surgery on Jan. 2, 2018 to treat recurrent ventral incisional hernia repair and to have the hernia mesh device removed. According to the Proceed ventral patch lawsuit, surgeons noted a “small piece of mesh floating” within the new hernia.

Even though the hernia mesh product was completely removed, Selina reportedly still experiences serious device complications related to the Proceed ventral patch. The side effects Selina continues to report include severe pain, nausea, diarrhea, chills, inflammation, loss of appetite, and extreme weight loss.

These complications have reportedly severely impacted the quality of Selina’s life, along with her marriage. Selina and Ned say they opted to file this Proceed ventral patch lawsuit after discovering Johnson & Johnson may have known about the allegedly defective nature of their hernia mesh product.

Overview of Hernia Mesh Complications

The Ethicon Proceed ventral patch consists of multiple layers that are meant to eventually be absorbed into the non degradable parts of the hernia mesh product, including the polypropylene layer that is the only permanent portion of the device.

However, the Proceed ventral patch lawsuit alleges the polypropylene layer has a propensity to tear away from securing devices like sutures or tacks. In addition, polypropylene material is meant to encourage healing in the hernia injury by inducing muscle inflammation, but it reportedly can induce infection in some cases.

When hernia mesh infection occurs, patients need to be wary of the possibility of biofilms. Biofilms are highly resistant bacterial colonies that are resistant to antibiotics, and can only be treated by removal of the hernia mesh.

Signs of hernia mesh infection include fever and other flu like symptoms, with the surgical site not healing properly. Even though hernia mesh complications can be devastating to patients, Johnson & Johnson failed to warn patients against these potential device complications, according to Selina and Ned’s lawsuit.

Selina and Ned’s Proceed ventral patch lawsuit is joining MDL No. 8197, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar hernia mesh complications. By joining an MDL, Selina and Ned’s Proceed ventral patch lawsuit will be streamlined through the litigation process and can avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

This Proceed Ventral Patch Lawsuit is Case No. L-008197-18, in the Superior Court of New Jersey Law Division Middlesex County.