At Least 1,000 Vaginal Mesh Victims Reported in U.S.
By Jessica Tyner
Vaginal sling implants are linked to a slew of painful and serious side effects, and it’s estimated that there are at least 1,000 victims of vaginal mesh injuries in the U.S. alone. Oftentimes, vaginal mesh implants are used to treat incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse (POP), but they can come with devastating side effects. The surgical mesh has a tendency to “chew through” the flesh and become embedded in the vaginal lining, other surrounding soft tissues and even organs. The multiple surgeries to correct these issues are painful and expensive.
It’s been five years since the FDA issued a warning about the potential complications caused by vaginal mesh implants, but the makers of these devices continue to churn out their products. Vaginal mesh victims claim they weren’t warned about the risks, neither by their doctors or the manufacturer.
The Reality of Vaginal Mesh
With over 1,000 vaginal mesh victims on record, some are calling for more stringent warnings and a recall of these allegedly dangerous medical devices. Physicians who implant surgical pelvic mesh undergo special training, but there’s no guarantee that the mesh will work as desired. Mesh erosion is still considered a relatively rare side effect, but that does little to comfort the 1,000+ vaginal mesh victims suffering from painful side effects and mounting medical bills.
According to a spokesperson for the FDA, vaginal mesh implants come with “clear risks.” The degree that the vaginal mesh may eat through a woman’s insides can vary person to person, and in some instances it’s impossible to fully remove the mesh. This can cause a lifetime of suffering and a slew of side effects. In worst case scenarios, women experience infertility since the vaginal lining is prone to scarring that can’t be undone. For women who still want biological children, this is especially heartbreaking.
Vaginal Mesh Surgeries Expensive & Painful
To make matters even worse, some of the vaginal mesh victims don’t have comprehensive health insurance — or any insurance at all. Multiple surgeries, hospital stays and related healthcare can easily lead to five-figure medical bills that are unmanageable. What happens to the scores of women who can’t afford to pay out of pocket for a defective device? Many of these women are seeking compensation for their medical bills through vaginal mesh injury lawsuit settlements.
With infertility, severe pain and suffering and medical debt on the rise when it comes to vaginal mesh side effects, it’s no wonder that lawsuits over these injuries are growing. Vaginal mesh victims want to prevent others from going through the same experience. Strong warning labels and compensation for their experience are the foundation for these many of these cases.
Did You Have a Vaginal Mesh Implant?
If you opted for a vaginal mesh surgery to prepare POP or SUI, you were likely unaware of the real risks. If you experienced painful and expensive side effects like so many others, you might have a vaginal mesh legal claim. It’s time to do something about it and seek to regain control of your finances.
Learn more about your options by visiting the Transvaginal Mesh, Vaginal Sling, Vaginal Mesh and Bladder Sling Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Submit your information for a free vaginal mesh claim review from a reputable attorney. If you have a vaginal mesh case, you will soon be contacted for a complimentary in-depth discussion about your legal options.
Updated May 21st, 2013
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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