A couple alleges a Johnson & Johnson vaginal mesh sling had caused permanent complications to the wife and claims the company failed to warn them against the defective nature of their product.

According to the couple, the TVT-Secur vaginal mesh sling had been recommended as the medical device for typical treatment purposes, but had allegedly compounded the woman’s medical condition.

Plaintiff couple Cynthia H. and Clifton H. conjointly filed this vaginal mesh lawsuit together, alleging the vaginal mesh sling caused severe and permanent injuries that have permanently impacted their marriage.

According to the vaginal mesh lawsuit, Cynthia had the TVT-Secur vaginal mesh sling implanted on Dec. 14, 2009, for typical treatment purposes and had no reason to believe she was at risk for any serious device complications.

However, Cynthia reportedly experienced a multitude of issues after the vaginal mesh sling was implanted. The complications she experienced included bleeding and dyspareunia, which eventually forced her to undergo revision surgery on Jan. 17, 2017. She says that after the revision surgery, her doctors recommend that she get post surgical checkups, because the surgeon was unable to remove all of the vaginal mesh sling.

The vaginal mesh lawsuit alleges Cynthia continues to suffer complications, including increased leakage that requires further treatment. The claim adds that it was recommended that Cynthia begin an electrical vaginal wall muscle stimulation program.

Overview of Vaginal Mesh Complications

The TVT-Secur vaginal mesh sling is made up of a biologically safe material, which acts as a hammock for weakened pelvic muscles. Vaginal mesh has been used to treat certain gynecological problems, and has helped millions of women since the 1990s.

Vaginal mesh is typically prescribed to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI), both of which are conditions caused by traumatic physical events like childbirth. The mesh is implanted into the woman’s inner pelvic wall, to help strengthen the muscles and help prevent problems like POP.

However, there have been numerous reports of serious complications from women who allege the vaginal mesh products were defectively made. Transvaginal mesh complications reported to the FDA include, but are not limited to:

• Dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse)
• Urination Problems
• Multiple Incidents of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Vaginal Scarring
• Mesh Erosion in the Vagina
• Infection
• Organ Injuries

Oftentimes these complications force women to undergo revision surgery, which is considered riskier than the initial implant surgery due to higher risk of infection. Even though these vaginal mesh complications can be devastating to patients, Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers allegedly failed to warn the public.

There have been over 100,000 vaginal mesh lawsuits filed, becoming one of the largest mass torts in history. Manufacturers have already paid millions of dollars to settle vaginal mesh lawsuits, which were filed by women alleging the vaginal mesh sling products had caused serious and permanent injuries.

This was allegedly the case with Cynthia, with her and Clifton saying they relied on the product information and marketing statements made by the company. Cynthia states that she would not have agreed to have the vaginal mesh sling implanted, if she had known about the severity of the potential device complications.

This Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-02903-N, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Texas, Dallas Division.