Couple Says Their Marriage Suffered Due to Failed Ethicon Bladder Sling

The Texas couple alleges that Ethicon created defective bladder sling implants that resulted in numerous complications for Kari Gardner following the implantation surgery in 2006 to treat her stress incontinence. The lawsuit does not note what the “permanent and substantial physical deformities” she’s suffered are, but it does indicate that Kari will require revision surgeries to remove the vaginal mesh and/or repair any damage caused by the bladder sling.

Some of the complications caused by bladder slings that utilize synthetic mesh can include bladder perforation or vaginal scarring. It is alleged in other transvaginal mesh lawsuits that because the devices use synthetic materials like polypropylene that are not designed for internal use, many women have an allergic reaction to the mesh. As a result, the mesh can puncture organs, erode, or degrade tissue around it. Women like Gardiner have needed medical procedures to correct these problems – often multiple procedures, according to one small-scale study not mentioned in the lawsuit.

The Gardiners allege in the Ethicon vaginal mesh lawsuit that even with medical assistance Kari may suffer from long-term disability because of the damage caused by the implant. As a result, the couple is seeking compensatory damages from Ethicon for counts of negligence, design and manufacturing defects, failure to warn and loss of consortium.

The transvaginal mesh lawsuit is Kari Gardiner, et al. v. Ethicon Inc., et al, Case No. 13-cv-22370. Originally filed in U.S. District Court in Texas, it was transferred to multidistrict litigation in the Southern West Virginia District on August 28.

Obtain a Free Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit Review

There are thousands of vaginal mesh injury lawsuits pending against Ethicon and other medical device makers including C.R. Bard, Mentor and others. If you suffered from complications caused by a vaginal mesh implant, you may be able to join in the legal actions. Get a free case eligibility review by filling out the form at the Vaginal Mesh Sling Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. A free consultation with a vaginal mesh lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and what steps you can take moving forward.