Hernia mesh is a commonly recommended solution to repair or reinforce weak spots in a patient’s abdominal wall to fix a hernia and prevent recurrence. Although it is viewed as a helpful and widely successful medical product, a growing number of patients are reporting hernia mesh injuries following their procedures. Some of these individuals may be eligible for financial compensation.
How Does Hernia Mesh Work?
A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue bulges through a weak spot in the muscle that is supposed to hold it in place. Hernia mesh is a tool that provides structural support in the area of weakened tissue. It works as a bridge or scaffold to reinforce the area and prompt the body to repair the weak spot or hole by growing around the mesh.
Hernia mesh can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. There are synthetic, absorbable and biological hernia mesh options. Synthetic hernia mesh is the most common, typically made from polypropylene or other flexible plastics. Certain models are used for specific types of hernia repair.
Common Types of Hernia Mesh Complications
After being used in thousands of cases, some types of hernia mesh have been connected to serious health complications and medical issues among recipients, including:
- Infections
- Migration of the mesh into other parts of the body
- Intestine or bowel obstruction due to migration
- Internal organ perforation
- Hernia mesh adhesion to surrounding organs and tissues
- Mesh shrinkage over time
- Prolonged or chronic post-surgical pain
- Physical rejection of the mesh (e.g., immune responses, inflammation)
- Hernia recurrence
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that the most common adverse events tied to hernia mesh include pain, infection, adhesion, intestinal obstruction, bleeding, seromas (fluid buildup) and perforation.
Can I Sue for a Hernia Mesh Complication?
Hernia mesh health complications can lead to lawsuits in some cases. If a patient was harmed by hernia mesh and there is evidence of related medical negligence or product defects, a personal injury claim or lawsuit can arise in pursuit of compensation.
Medical Malpractice
Medical negligence or malpractice in a hernia mesh case may describe a lack of informed consent, failure to consider the patient’s medical history, improper implantation, anesthesia or medication mistakes, surgical errors, unsanitary tools, and failure to prevent infections.
If there is evidence that a reasonably prudent health care provider would have done something different to prevent the patient’s harm under the same circumstances, an injury claim can be brought against the medical professional for substandard care.
Defective Medical Device
Some hernia mesh complications are traced back to defects with the mesh itself. Mesh defects may mean design, manufacturing or marketing flaws. Harmful hernia mesh defects that lead to product failure, patient injuries or patient deaths can result in product liability lawsuits against the product manufacturer or distributor.
How a Hernia Mesh Attorney Can Help
If you’ve suffered serious health complications due to hernia mesh, it is important to consult with a personal injury attorney about your potential legal options. You may qualify for financial compensation for losses such as your present and future medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
Lawsuits have been brought against multiple hernia mesh manufacturers as well as health care providers for preventable poor patient outcomes. Learn your available legal options during a cost-free consultation with an attorney at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC for more information. We are record-setting medical malpractice and defective medical device attorneys who practice nationwide.