If you have experienced painful complications due to a surgery involving hernia mesh you may be entitled to compensation. Our team, working with lead counsel in these multi-district product liability cases, are here to help injured parties experiencing a decrease in quality of life.
Our goal is to help you understand your legal rights and options. This process begins with understanding what hernia mesh is and why it could cause problems in the first place.
What is hernia mesh?
Mesh is a woven material made from a synthetic plastic-like substance that is used in medical procedures to give support to weakened or damaged tissue. Animal tissue can also be used as a mesh material.
What is it used for?
Hernia mesh is used to help repair and strengthen an abnormal opening, where an organ or tissue may be pushing through. Hernias are common, and about one million hernia repairs happen each year in the U.S.A.
What complications might arise from use?
There are lists of complications that go along with any surgical procedure, specific mesh related effects following hernia repair include:
- Pain
- Infection
- Adhesion
- Bowel obstruction
- Hernia recurrence
- Mesh migration
- Abnormal connections between organs, vessels, or intestines
- Fluid build-up at the surgical site
- Scar-like tissue sticking together (known as adhesion)
- Mesh shrinkage (known as a contraction)
According to the FDA, the recalled mesh products have been deemed the main cause of obstruction complications and bowel perforation. There have been other complications reported as well. If you’ve suffered any adverse side effects since your surgery using hernia mesh, keep a detailed record of those effects.
What is hernia mesh inclusion criteria?
- Revision surgery
- Additional surgery (to remove adhesions or reactive tissues)
- Common reported complications: seroma; granuloma; adhesions; inflammation; rejection; allergic reaction; lack of ingrowth; infections
What are hernia mesh exclusion and disqualifying factors?
- Confirmed immediate surgical site infection
- Immediate surgical complications
- Post-implant trauma
- Pregnancy
- Injury to the bowel area (ATV or auto accident, blunt trauma injury, etc.)
- Concurrent surgery, such as gall bladder removal, hysterectomy, etc.
What are alternative treatment options to hernia mesh?
Some people wear hernia belts to help ease discomfort, but these do not help get rid of hernias. Surgery is the only treatment that can repair hernias. Surgery can be done with or without surgical mesh, many prefer to use it because it decreases recovery time and reduces the rate of recurrence.
Lawsuits for hernia mesh claims
In order to have a successful hernia mesh lawsuit there must be a defect in the mesh design or manufacturing process or the warnings provided must be inadequate or incomplete. If the mesh itself is the cause of the surgical complications, you may have a personal injury case.
If you’ve suffered due to hernia mesh surgery, you could be compensated for:
- Payment of medical bills, lost wages, and costs of corrective surgeries
- Damages for pain, suffering or emotional distress
How you can find the right hernia mesh lawyer
There are so many personal injury lawyers in Milwaukee, it can be daunting trying to figure out where to start. When hiring a personal injury attorney, you should consider the qualities you value in a lawyer and consider the benefits of a team approach to personal injury law.
It is in your best interest to have a consultation with an experienced attorney. Speak with them about your symptoms and complications and they will use their knowledge to help you evaluate the merit of your case.
At Murphy & Prachthauser we offer free case evaluations, let us answer all your questions and help you determine the best course of action.
At Murphy & Prachthauser we practice the law the way it should be practiced – motivated and equipped to do our best for you. We take pride in being good lawyers who help people.