Last week, a federal jury in West Virginia awarded an Illinois couple $3.27 million in a transvaginal mesh case. The plaintiff suffered from stress urinary incontinence, and, in 2011, underwent surgery to implant Johnson & Johnson’s transvaginal mesh sling. Within a year, the sling had to be removed because it was causing her pelvic pain and pain during sexual intercourse. The couple filed suit alleging that the mesh was defectively designed and that Johnson & Johnson had failed to warn physicians and patients about the risk of the mesh eroding.
Women were told that these mesh products would be a simple and easy fix for problems such as pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence repairs. What they were not told, however, were the significant complications that can arise after surgery. One of the largest risks of these products is that mesh implants—both transvaginal and bladder slings—have been found to erode or shrink after they have been implanted in the patient. This can cause serious complications including infection, chronic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse. As a result, thousands of women from across the country have filed lawsuits similar to the one brought by the Illinois couple. These cases have been consolidated into several multi-district litigations in West Virginia, and the $3.27 million verdict is a promising sign for plaintiffs.
The attorneys at Bekman, Marder, Hopper, Malarkey & Perlin are currently handling cases for women who have suffered serious side-effects from transvaginal mesh and bladder sling implants. If you believe you have experience serious-side effects from either of these mesh products please contact us today.