At The Dunken Law Firm, we are currently investigating cases involving transvaginal mesh complications and injuries in New Jersey. We are taking cases in every city and county, including:
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries after a pelvic organ prolapse corrective surgery using transvaginal mesh, you may have grounds for a product liability claim. Contact our office today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys.
For years, surgeons have used transvaginal mesh to correct various medical conditions. The most common are stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Approximately 200,000 women undergo inpatient procedures for pelvic organ prolapse each year in the United States, and about 10% of those women will require surgery. Of those who undergo surgery, about 13% will experience an adverse event from transvaginal mesh within five years, and 30% will experience a pelvic organ prolapse at some point in the future.
Transvaginal mesh can cause a host of problems. The mesh can erode over time and cause small fragments of mesh to break off and migrate to the bowels, bladder, or other pelvic organs. This can cause bleeding, infections, and even organ perforation. Some women experience urinary problems after undergoing transvaginal mesh procedures. Other possible effects include pain during intercourse and the need for revision surgery.
During a revision procedure, the attending surgeon will attempt to fix dislodged or broken mesh or remove the mesh and repair the surrounding damaged tissues. Many women develop vaginal scarring as a result which can negatively impact quality of life for years to come.
In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an FDA Safety Communication regarding their findings of transvaginal mesh complications. The FDA then conducted an investigation into more than 30 manufacturers of surgical mesh for pelvic organ prolapse and enacted stricter development and production requirements. As a result, most of the manufacturers opted to stop marketing surgical mesh products entirely, and now only three transvaginal mesh products for pelvic organ prolapse correction surgeries remain on the market.
New Jersey upholds a two-year statute of limitations for product liability claims for personal injuries. This time limit begins on the date an injury occurs; however, in some cases the statute will toll if the claimant did not notice adverse effects immediately. The discovery rule allows the statute of limitations to begin on the date a claimant discovered the harm from a defective product, or the date a reasonable person would have likely noticed the harm.
In a product liability lawsuit, the plaintiff’s attorney must prove the device in question is defective and then establish a link between the defect and the plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiffs who succeed with their product liability claims can usually secure compensation for the medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering caused by defective products.
If you or a relative suffered transvaginal mesh injuries after a pelvic organ prolapse corrective procedure, you may have grounds for a lawsuit in New Jersey. Contact The Dunken Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Once we have the details of your claim, we can let you know what type of compensation you could expect from a successful lawsuit.