Florida Woman Sues C.R. Bard for Bladder Sling Injuries

According to the vaginal mesh lawsuit, the bladder sling was implanted into the plaintiff on November 4, 2008, to treat her stress urinary inconsistence (SUI). However, soon after she received the implant, Gillis allegedly started experiencing debilitating side effects including mesh erosion, tissue infection, and extreme discomfort. Revision surgery was required to remove and correct the problem caused by the mesh erosion, according to the lawsuit.

At the time of the implantation, neither Gillis nor her physician was aware of the potential side effects of vaginal mesh, the lawsuit says. As a result, Gillis is suing C.R. Bard for allegedly manufacturing, distributing, marketing, and selling a dangerous product. The charges she is bringing against C.R. Bard include negligence, false advertising, misrepresenting a product, and concealing information.

Overview of Vaginal Mesh Complications

Vaginal mesh was first approved in the United States in the early 2000s. In October 2008, the FDA issued a public alert about the complications associated with vaginal mesh, stating that side effects were not rare, and that revision surgery would be necessary to repair damage. 

At the time of the announcement, the FDA had consolidated over 1,000 vaginal mesh injury reports they had collected over the years, from nine different vaginal mesh companies. By 2011, the FDA advised patients to consider different alternatives to treat their pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress incontinence.

Along with the 2011 warning, the FDA also required that all vaginal mesh manufacturers conduct post-market testing of their products and submit the results to the FDA. The vaginal mesh complications most commonly cited are:

• Erosion of the mesh through the vaginal wall
• Infection and bleeding
• Vaginal shortening and tightening
• Bowel, bladder, and blood vessel perforation
• Pain and discomfort during sex
• Painful urination

Despite the public warnings from the FDA, and the requirement to conduct post-market research, it was still not enough to protect most women from injuries caused by vaginal mesh complications. Currently, there are no warnings or indications that the mesh may cause these side effects, and physicians are generally unaware of these side effects if they do not have much experience with treating POP or SUI.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits are Being Filed Now

As of now, thousands of women are suing C.R. Bard and other manufacturers of transvaginal mesh products for the injuries they allegedly suffered from these vaginal mesh products. Like other women, Gillis is seeking damages for medical compensation, negligence, pain and suffering, and other punitive charges. This case is still pending.

This case is Betty L. Gillis v. C.R. Bard Inc., Case 2:13-cv-22755. It was filed directly into the C.R. Bard vaginal mesh MDL, where thousands of similar lawsuits are pending. The MDL is called In Re: C.R. Bard Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2187, in the United States District Court of West Virginia.

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a vaginal mesh injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Vaginal Mesh Sling Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned vaginal mesh lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The vaginal mesh lawyers working this investigation do not get paid until you do.