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Aggressive Memphis Injury Lawyers Helping Victims of Defective Hernia Mesh

Skilled products liability attorneys protecting clients throughout West Tennessee

Ask anyone who has ever had a hernia, and most of them will tell you: they are painful. Sometimes, a doctor may simply monitor the condition, to make sure it doesn’t get worse. In more severe cases, you may need to undergo surgery. Hernia mesh is a medical device that is implanted during the procedure to help support weakened tissue, so your body can heal.

The problem with hernia mesh, however, is that is can lead to serious complications, and lawsuits are currently being filed throughout the country on behalf of patients who sustained injuries as a result of mesh devices. Bailey & Greer, PLLC, is currently accepting cases on behalf of West Tennessee clients who suffered from severe injuries and illnesses as a result of defective hernia mesh. We invite you to contract our firm to speak with an experienced medical product liability lawyer in Memphis or Jackson, so we can get started on your case.

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A quick look at types of hernias

A hernia is a condition where one part of your body – usually an organ, or part of your intestine – has made its way through a weak spot in connective tissue or muscle. If the hernia is severe, you can actually see the bulge when you move. If it is minor, or if it is in its beginning stages, you may not be able to see it at all.

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) describes the six most common types of hernias this way:

  • Inguinal: occurs in the inner groin
  • Femoral: occurs in the upper thigh/outer groin
  • Incisional: occurs through an incision or scar in the abdomen
  • Ventral: occurs in the general abdominal/ventral wall
  • Umbilical: occurs at the belly button
  • Hiatal: occurs inside the abdomen, along the upper stomach/diaphragm

Seeking treatment for a hernia

There is no other “cure” for a hernia besides surgery, but not all hernias will necessitate surgical intervention. For example, if you are diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, but don’t experience any pain or other complications, your doctor may not recommend surgery.

For other types of hernias, however, surgery may be needed. The problem with a hernia, however, is that the muscles or tissue surrounding the “invading” organ or intestine are weak; this is how the organ managed to break through the membranes in the first place. Therefore, in order to ensure that everything can be pushed back into place and then kept there, surgeons use a product called hernia mesh, or surgical mesh. This screen-like device helps to shore up the weakened muscles or tissue, so that your body can heal itself without another rupture.

Types of hernia mesh

Generally, hernia mesh falls into two categories: animal-derived, wherein the mesh is made from animal skin (typically that of a cow or pig), and synthetic. Synthetic hernia mesh can be made of:

  • Absorbable materials, which (like animal-derived mesh) will eventually degrade as your body heals. These are used for temporary support.
  • Non-absorbable materials, like polypropylene (a type of synthetic plastic). This type of mesh is considered a permanent implant.
  • Some combination of both.

The mesh itself can come in sheets, which are custom-made for the patient, or patches that surround the weakened area. In some cases, mesh can be used as plug, where it pops into the hole in the weakened tissue or muscle.

Recently, more and more complaints have come in regarding a certain type of synthetic hernia mesh, called composite hernia mesh. Composite hernia mesh became popular for a number of reasons. First, because in studies, it adhered to the abdominal wall easily and without complication. But second, manufacturers were able to take advantage of something called 510(k) submission process. In a nutshell, this process allows manufacturers to avoid the long waiting periods of testing and trials if they are producing a device or drug that is significantly similar to something already on the market.

Thomas Greer Memphis Personal Injury Lawyer

Defective hernia mesh led to serious injuries

Earlier, we said that composite mesh adhered easily to the abdominal walls. Unfortunately, it also adheres easily to other parts of the body. This is because composite mesh is coated with a substance that was supposed to degrade over time, but instead would accumulate in one spot, and stick to people’s intestines.

Composite hernia mesh, however, was not the only defective medical product out there; in fact, all types of hernia mesh could be affected. Patients sustained numerous injuries, including infections, bowel obstructions, strangulation of the tissues leading to necrosis (tissue death) and urinary tract problems, not to mention severe and chronic pain. In some cases, patients’ bodies rejected the mesh, leading to severe infection; others sustained organ perforations, because the mesh began to erode in their bodies. Many people ended up with another hernia.

Which hernia mesh products are linked to injuries?

Multiple products created by different pharmaceutical companies are currently involved in lawsuits. Per ConsumerSafety.org, those companies and products include:

Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson)

  • Physiomesh Flexible Composite Mesh
  • Proceed Surgical Mesh
  • Prolene Hernia System

Atrium (Maquet, Getinge Group)

  • C-QUR Mesh
  • C-QUR V-Patch
  • C-QUR Edge Mesh V-Patch
  • C-QUR Lite Mesh V-Patch
  • C-QUR OVT Mesh
  • C-QUR RPM Mesh
  • C-QUR Tacshield
  • C-QUR Mosaic

Covidien (Medtronic)

  • Parietex Surgical Mesh
  • Parietex Composite Mesh
  • Parietex ProGrip Mesh

C.R. Bard (Davol)

  • PerFix Mesh
  • Kugel Hernia Mesh
  • 3DMax Mesh
  • Ventralex ST Hernia Mesh
  • Ventralex Patch
  • Sepramesh IP Composite Mesh
  • Composix E/X Mesh

How a defective medical device lawyer can help you

As of today, hundreds of multi-district litigation cases, or MDLs, have been filed around the country on behalf of thousands of defective hernia mesh victims. If you sustained an injury, were forced to undergo revision surgery, or suffered harm because of a defective device, you are going to need competent counsel to help you seek compensation.

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we have handled complex litigation for our West Tennessee clients for years. We have the experience and skills you want on your side, but our firm also has the resources to work on these types of claims. We review your documentation, work with your doctors and independent experts, ensure that your case is filed correctly and with the right court, and negotiate on your behalf if you wish to secure a settlement. If it is in your best interests to fight for your rights in court, you will have an experienced trial attorney by your side – and the full power of our firm behind you.

Bailey & Greer Team

Call a Memphis medical product liability lawyer about your hernia mesh case today

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, you’re never just a number. We understand how your entire life can be turned upside down because of someone else’s negligence, and it is our job to ensure that the negligent party is heled accountable. If you or a loved one were injured because of defective hernia mesh, our Memphis injury lawyers are ready to help. Please call 901-680-9777 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation. We proudly serve clients in Memphis, Jackson, and throughout West Tennessee.