C.R. Bard, manufacturer and distributor of a medical device for women known as transvaginal mesh (or TVM), has agreed to settlements for over 500 cases. The company is still facing 12,000 other plaintiffs and their transvaginal mesh lawsuits. Women throughout the country, including Iowa, have filed lawsuits claiming that they were injured by transvaginal mesh.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits
Originally, surgical mesh was used in the 1950s to treat patients with hernias. In the 1970s, doctors began using the devices to treat pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence. It is made of porous synthetic material or biologic material. When the pelvic muscles weaken, pelvic organs such as the bladder and uterus can drop into the vagina. In severe cases, the organs can actually protrude from the vaginal opening. In order to prevent that from occurring, doctors would implant transvaginal mesh through the vagina to lift the organs and keep them in place. The product was also used to elevate the neck of the bladder to treat women who suffered from incontinence when laughing, coughing or exercising. Transvaginal mesh lawsuits have been filed due to complications that can occur from the device that doctors and patients were unaware of when they were implanted. These include:
- Erosion or protrusion of the mesh
- Abdominal pain
- Extremely painful intercourse
- Infections in the area where the mesh is implanted
- Urinary tract problems
- Bleeding
- Damage to internal organs
In some cases, patients have allegedly died as a result of transvaginal mesh complications. Patients have suffered from infections severe enough to have them admitted to ICU, close to death.
Iowa Case
In 2005, an Iowa woman underwent transvaginal mesh surgery to treat incontinence and now says that the surgery has caused her more pain and embarrassment than relief. After the surgery, the mesh eroded and began irritating other organs surrounding the mesh. The patient says she is in constant pain, saying she is being “stabbed” thousands of times a day.” She also claims that the pain prevents her from moving around comfortably and going to the bathroom. She is one of thousands of women who have filed a transvaginal mesh lawsuit against the manufacturer of the mesh that was implanted inside her during surgery.
If you or a loved one has suffered complications due to transvaginal mesh, or a loved one has died as a result of problems related to surgical mesh, contact Attorney Group for Iowa for a free consultation to see if you qualify for a transvaginal mesh lawsuit. We are here to help answer your questions, and can connect you with a local Iowa attorney if you decide to pursue a claim. Contact us today to learn more.
