If you are a female over the age of 50, the odds are you know someone who has experienced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or have suffered from it yourself. Two of the most common causes of POP are childbirth and menopause, meaning that most women over 50 have at least one risk factor for the condition. Other causes include:
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic coughing from smoking, allergies, or other causes
- Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting
- Genetics and neuromuscular diseases
Studies indicate that more than half of the female population in the U.S. will experience POP in one form or another. So if you are suffering from this issue, you are not alone. Of the millions of women who have experienced POP, many have sought medical treatment involving surgical insertion of mesh.
Vaginal mesh implants - also called transvaginal mesh devices - are used to treat both POP and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The mesh is a medical device that provides extra internal support for a woman's organs.
Surgical mesh devices can lead to serious complications and injuries
Tens of thousands of female patients who received mesh implants have filed personal injury lawsuits against manufacturers of the devices, including Boston Scientific, Endo International, and Johnson & Johnson. Some outcomes over the past years include:
- Boston Scientific was ordered to pay $26.7 million to four women in one of the more than 14,000 cases against the company.
- Endo International agreed to pay $830 million in 2014 to settle more than 20,000 cases against it.
- Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $120 million to settle 2,000 to 3,000 cases against them.
Not only can these devices cause complications such as infection, bleeding, and mesh erosion, but a number of them were found to be defective. Due to the number of complications suffered by women who received a mesh implant, the FDA changed the classification for the device from a moderate risk level to a high-risk device in 2016.
What should I do if I have a mesh device?
If you have a mesh implant, it doesn't mean you will have complications. However, be mindful of the possible warning signs, including the following:
- Vaginal, groin or pelvic pain
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) or other types of infections
- Vaginal bleeding or discharge
- Painful intercourse
- Recurrence of prolapse or incontinence
If you are suffering side effects you fear are due to a surgical mesh procedure, seek legal advice about your options. Additional surgeries and extensive treatments are often necessary to get victims' lives back on track. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you obtain compensation to cover your medical treatment, continued care, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
You do not need to suffer alone. Thousands of women across the country have been awarded the compensation they deserve in surgical mesh cases.
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