Millions awarded to women suffering from vaginal mesh implants

June 15, 2013 (Press-News.org) Nearly a year ago, the first verdict came down against a manufacturer of vaginal mesh devices. An active woman in her forties received a transvaginal mesh implant in 2008 to treat stress urinary incontinence. Shortly following the surgical procedure, she began experiencing pain as the mesh began to cut into her colon. At the time of the verdict last July, she had undergone eight additional surgeries in an attempt to correct the problems caused by the vaginal mesh, and more surgery may be needed.

During the four years of litigation against the manufacturer of the medical device, the court banned the woman and her husband from discussing the case. However, once the $5.5 million verdict was awarded to them for their losses, the tragic story was revealed and thousands of women became aware of the dangers of transvaginal meshes. Another woman has since received a multi-million dollar award for her injuries caused by the defective medical device.

Numerous companies manufacture vaginal implants designed to treat medical conditions such as urinary incontinence and prolapse of internal organs or systems including:
- Uterus
- Bladder
- Small bowel
- Vaginal vault
- Rectum

Vaginal mesh is designed to strengthen weakened pelvic tissue, keeping internal organs from bulging into a woman's vagina. However, for hundreds of women in Texas and across the nation, the device causes more problems than it cures. Many women wind up in the hospital due to excruciating pain and corrective surgery is often insufficient to cure other problems created by the mesh.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, as of last July, 47,000 women had undergone mesh implantation, and 650 similar lawsuits had been filed against various manufacturers. Women report a variety of complaints and suffer from such symptoms and complications as:
- Organ perforation and erosion
- Infection and inflammation
- Mesh protrusion into the vaginal wall
- Sexual difficulties
- Inability to sit or stand without pain
- Nerve damage and neuropathic pain
- Newly developed urinary incontinence

While transvaginal mesh surgery may be successful for many women, even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns of the dangers of the surgical procedure. In 2012, the FDA issued a public warning outlining the dangers of the device.

Consult a lawyer

If you suffer complications from surgically implanted vaginal mesh, consult your doctor. Then, seek the advice of an experienced lawyer who is knowledgeable about vaginal mesh cases. You may be entitled to losses incurred by the medical device such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering.

Article provided by Lee Murphy Law Firm
Visit us at www.leemurphylaw.com