Tennessee Hernia Mesh Lawyer
Hernias are relatively common medical conditions that occur when an organ pushes through an opening in the tissue or muscle wall, usually in the abdomen, groin, or upper thigh. Although hernias do not generally pose a serious threat to a person’s health, they also do not heal on their own, so those who suffer from hernias are usually required to undergo surgery to prevent any further complications. Around 30 years ago, physicians began utilizing mesh during these procedures, as it could be placed over the defect and when held in place by a few stitches, could be left inside the wound, where it would foster the growth of new tissue. Although surgical mesh proved effective in treating hernias, it also soon became apparent that patients who underwent hernia surgery where mesh was used also faced a much higher risk of certain complications that could require revision surgery and treatment. Fortunately, injured parties may be eligible to collect compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the device’s manufacturer. To learn more, please contact a Tennessee Hernia Mesh lawyer who can address your questions.
Surgical Mesh Side Effects
Hernia mesh comes in the form of patches, sheets, and plugs and is usually constructed of synthetic materials that are either absorbable or non-absorbable. The latter is considered a permanent implant that provides reinforcement to the repaired muscle wall, while absorbable mesh degrades over time, providing temporary support while new tissue grows. Some types of surgical hernia mesh are made of both absorbable and non-absorbable material.
Unfortunately, soon after hernia mesh products hit the market, a number of patients began experiencing serious side effects as a result of defectively manufactured mesh. The most commonly reported complications included:
- Infection;
- Organ perforation;
- Migration;
- Inflammation;
- Adhesion;
- The creation of scar tissue;
- Severe pain;
- Rashes;
- Hernia recurrence;
- Bowel obstruction and perforation; and
- Abnormalities in liver function.
Patients who experience these types of complications are often required to undergo follow-up surgery to remove and replace the defective mesh or to repair internal tissue damage. Surgeons may also have to conduct exploratory surgery just to discover whether the mesh has migrated inside the body or attached to an organ, which can leave patients open to infection and other surgery-related problems.
Manufacturer Liability
For a little over a decade, thousands of different hernia meshes have been recalled for a variety of reasons ranging from the mislabeling of packaging documentation to design or manufacture defects. In other cases, lawsuits allege that injuries were the result of the following:
- The use of dangerous or defective materials in constructing the mesh itself;
- A manufacturer’s failure to warn patients and doctors of known potential dangers and side effects;
- The mesh was subject to an expedited approval process;
- The coating used when constructing the mesh prevented adequate incorporation;
- The materials used to construct the mesh were insufficient to withstand abdominal force, causing additional herniations;
- The gel coating used on the mesh caused it to detach from the implanted device and adhere to an internal organ; and
- The mesh contained resin-based plastic, which cause perforation and obstructions.
To learn more about whether the manufacturer of your surgical mesh implant could be held liable for negligence, please call us today.
Get the Legal Representation You Deserve
Please contact Fox, Farley, Willis & Burnette at (866) 862-4855 to schedule a consultation with a dedicated defective medical device lawyer today. Our talented legal team is prepared to help you immediately.
