Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Settlements
Some medical devices are defective and can result in a variety of additional medical problems with their use. Thousands of lawsuits filed in Florida and around the country claim transvaginal mesh is one of these devices, and is responsible for continuing pain and complications that require additional medical care in women who received the device for urinary incontinence problems.
What Is Transvaginal Mesh?
Transvaginal mesh is a type of medical device designed to provide additional support to treat urogenital prolapse conditions that often occur in women after childbirth or with aging. The device may be in the form of a patch, a sling or tape that helps to hold up the neck of the bladder to help reduce urinary incontinence. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the devices in the 1990s without testing due to an exception regarding surgical mesh implants. If a new product is similar enough to old products, it can be distributed without testing. A number of medical device manufacturers were approved to market these devices for urogenital surgery.
Problems of Transvaginal Mesh Implants
Reports of injuries soon came to the attention of the medical community and the FDA following the introduction of these products. Women reported problems including:
- Urogenital pain
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Shedding of vaginal tissue
- Urinary incontinence
- Bleeding
- Perforation of organs
- Pain during intercourse
- Recurring prolapse
- Vaginal scarring
Severe Consequence of Faulty Devices
The transvaginal mesh devices were surgically implanted in millions of women to treat problems of urinary stress incontinence. Many women experienced continuous pain, bleeding and multiple surgeries to repair the damage from the device. This resulted in additional medical expense, loss of wages and disability for the women affected by these problems. In 2008, the FDA issued a warning concerning vaginal mesh devices and called for increased surveillance of patients who received these devices. Soon after, medical device makers began recalling these products. However, many women across the United States, including many in the state of Florida, were left dealing with the consequences of implantation of the devices.
Florida Joins Growing Number of States With Lawsuits
A large number of lawsuits have already been filed regarding TVM. In 2013, a New Jersey woman was awarded $11 million in compensation for medical problems associated with the implantation of a vaginal mesh product manufactured by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary. In August 2014, C.R. Bard, another device manufacturer, settled 500 different transvaginal mesh lawsuits regarding injuries allegedly sustained by the use of transvaginal mesh implants. While compensation is never guaranteed and results differ depending on the facts of each case, thousands more cases are currently being pursued as well.
Are You Eligible for a Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit in Florida?
If you are one of the women in Florida who had a transvaginal mesh implant and later experienced medical problems, contact Attorney Group for Florida to learn more about your options in your particular case. We can help answer your questions, and connect you with an affiliated Florida attorney if you decide to pursue a claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.
