Rhode Island Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits

The attorneys at The Dunken Law Firm represent women who have or are suffering due to complications associated with a transvaginal mesh implant. We are currently reviewing and accepting claims throughout Rhode Island, including in:

  • Providence
  • Warwick
  • Cranston
  • Pawtucket
  • East Providence

If you or somebody you know has been injured by transvaginal mesh, you may have the right to a financial recovery. Contact our transvaginal mesh team for a free and confidential initial consultation today.

Why Choose Our Firm

  • Our product liability attorneys have spent more than two decades helping victims of defective medical devices file lawsuits to recover compensation for their injuries.
  • We are committed to meeting the needs of our clients, which is why we provide personalized service and give each case the attention and time it requires.
  • Our firm prioritizes providing high-quality legal representation for victims with transvaginal mesh injuries.

Serious Health Risks related to Transvaginal Mesh

Thousands of women have reported serious complications to the FDA as a result of a surgical procedure to implant transvaginal mesh. Transvaginal mesh is a medical device produced by manufacturers to permanently repair pelvic organ prolapse (POP) or stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Both disorders cause pelvic floor dysfunction due to weak or damaged muscles or organs.

POP is caused by a lack of muscle support, resulting in pelvic organs dropping into the vagina. Surgical mesh is implanted into the vaginal wall to keep those organs in place. With SUI, pressure placed on the bladder causes an unintentional loss of urine. In this case, mesh is used to support the bladder or the urethra in order to prevent incontinence from occurring.

The following common side effects after surgery to fix POP or SUI can be debilitating and repairing them may require transvaginal mesh revision surgery:

  • Mesh erosion: The mesh erodes into vaginal tissue, symptoms can include:
    • Pain
    • Dyspareunia: pain during intercourse
    • Partner complaining of pain during sexual intercourse
    • Vaginal discharge
    • Urinary tract infection or obstruction
  • Organ perforation: the mesh’s edges can pierce nearby organs.
  • Pain or discomfort in pelvic region
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Painful urination
  • Reoccurring or newly diagnosed POP or SUI
  • Vaginal scarring or shrinkage

Complications from transvaginal mesh for POP repair generally become apparent about a month after surgery. Mesh erosion can take place around four months following implantation. Treatment for erosion is typically revision surgery to remove the mesh. Transvaginal mesh revision surgery can be even more painful and complex than the original procedure. In some cases, even with a skilled surgeon, more than one surgery is needed to completely repair the damage from the device and to remove the eroded pieces. There are additional potential risks of infection, nerve damage, scarring, and permanent damage to organs with each surgery.

Who is Responsible for Defective Mesh?

Under Rhode Island’s product liability laws, the seller or manufacturer of transvaginal mesh can be liable for injuries related to their products. The largest manufacturers producing mesh products are:

  • American Medical Systems
  • Boston Scientific
  • C.R. Bard, Inc.
  • Ethicon, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)

In order to successfully recover compensation in a transvaginal lawsuit, the plaintiff (victim) will need to prove the device was defective either in its design, the manufacturing of it, or the marketing of the product. Here are examples of defect arguments in regards to mesh erosion:

Design: the mesh eroded, and therefore was not a permanent solution as it was designed to be.

Manufacturing: the manufacturing process of the product caused it to be defective and erode.

Marketing: the device was marketed as a permanent solution and lacked proper warnings of risks.

The available damages a plaintiff may recover if able to prove the transvaginal mesh was defective includes, medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

The Dunken Law Firm Can Help

Transvaginal mesh lawsuits can be extremely complicated. Our team of attorneys can help you build your case and successfully recover the compensation you are owed for your injuries. Call us today and set up a time for a free initial consultation.