Vaginal (Transvaginal or Pelvic) Mesh Lawsuit

Hundreds of thousands of American women, and millions of others worldwide, received vaginal mesh implants that later led to severe health complications. A series of lawsuits against the manufacturers of those implants followed, which was later combined into one of the largest mass tort cases in US litigation history. The companies behind the products have already paid billions of dollars in compensation to women who have been impacted, yet new lawsuits are being filed across the country. Lawyers are asking anyone impacted by defective implants to come forward and pursue compensation.

The incidence of vaginal mesh lawsuits have gained wide media attention over recent years. It’s not just in the United States, either, as numerous lawsuits have been brought and settled in the UK, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere. Many of the early lawsuits that were brought against companies like Johnson & Johnson were combined into mass tort cases have already been settled, with the manufacturers forced to pay billions in compensation. However, individuals can still bring lawsuits to court to secure compensation. Indeed, many women are still experiencing issues with vaginal mesh implants, leading to fresh lawsuits.

Vaginal mesh implants, which are also known as transvaginal or pelvic mesh implants, have been used in surgeries since the 1970s. However, in the late 1990s and 2000s, companies like Johnson & Johnson and Boston Scientific began to mass-produce the synthetic meshes used for the implants. This led to widespread adoption in surgical treatment as women sought relief from conditions like stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

However, by the late 2000s, concerns were raised over serious side effects caused by the mesh implants. Questions were asked about whether the companies were negligent in their testing and production of the implants, and the FDA, too, was scrutinized for its perceived fast-tracking of approval for the products. By the 2010s, the FDA was raising alarm over the safety of the meshes. Numerous lawsuits followed, many of which have already been settled. Yet, many vaginal mesh lawsuits are currently active in the court system, and women affected by the use of mesh implants are still bringing new lawsuits today.

There have been numerous reported vaginal mesh injuries and related side effects. One of the most common issues is the erosion of the mesh itself, which can descend into the vaginal tissues causing chronic pain. Other side effects and injuries caused by the vaginal mesh include:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Urinary problems
• Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Bleeding
• Organ perforation
• Vaginal scarring
• Nerve damage

The above list is not exhaustive. In fact, it’s also worth noting that many of the women bringing lawsuits against the vaginal mesh companies have reported depression, anxiety, and even PTSD related to the severe pain and other issues caused by the defective implants. Many of those with faulty implants have had to face several corrective surgeries.

In April 2019, the FDA ordered all manufacturers of the vaginal mesh implants to stop selling and distributing the products. This decision was aimed at two companies, Boston Scientific and Coloplast. However, the FDA has been investigating the issue with vaginal mesh implants for many years before this decision. In 2011, for instance, the FDA issued orders to 34 companies involved in manufacturing and distributing the implants, most of which elected to cease production. Other companies involved in the manufacturing of the implants include Bard, Ethicon (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), American Medical Systems, and Cook Medical.

As stated, several hundred thousand American women have reported problems with vaginal meshes, many of whom have gone on to join the lawsuits against the manufacturers. Worldwide, millions of women are estimated to have been affected by the implants. The lawsuits, some of which are still ongoing, have been widely reported on in the mainstream media, creating a sense of a global movement to secure justice for the women impacted. The victims have had to deal with severe physical health problems as well as mental anguish. There is widespread support for their pursuit of financial compensation.

The companies behind the defective vaginal mesh implants have been forced to pay huge amounts in compensation already. Overall, around $8 billion has been paid out so far. This includes a $117 million by Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson) in 2019 and $188.7 million by Boston Scientific in 2021. As for individual claimants' payouts for lawsuits, they will depend on specific circumstances, such as the extent of injuries caused by the faulty implants. However, many claimants have received payments in excess of $100,000. One woman, Ella Ebaugh, received a $57 million payout.

The events surrounding and leading up to the vaginal mesh lawsuits have been regarded as a scandal, affecting women’s health worldwide. In some cases, the pain caused by the meshes has left women unable to walk. It is no wonder, then, that there has been widespread support for victims of the vaginal mesh scandal including the recognition of their right to receive compensation and justice.

While a large number of lawsuits have been settled, law firms are still accepting cases from those impacted by vaginal mesh implants. If you have had an injury, suffered pain, or experienced other issues due to your implant, you can contact a vaginal mesh lawyer to start your compensation journey. Billions have been paid out so far, and it makes sense to reach out to a lawyer to see if you, too, qualify for compensation.

What Is Vaginal Mesh?

A vaginal mesh, which is sometimes called a pelvic or transvaginal mesh, is a type of surgical implant. It is made of synthetic material, normally polypropylene.

What Does A Pelvic Mesh Look Like?

The mesh is a thin, lightweight sheet. It is usually cut in an oval shape to fit in the pelvic area.

What Was Pelvic Mesh Used For?

Pelvic meshes are primarily used to treat conditions like stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

What is the average settlement for a pelvic mesh lawsuit?

It depends on the severity of the injuries caused by the meshes. However, we do know that individual claimants have received payments ranging from $40,000 (milder cases) right up to over $1 million for severe injuries.

Is it too late for a Pelvic mesh lawsuit?

No. New cases are still being accepted by lawyers.

How many women have mesh implants?

Several hundred thousand in the US. At least 100,000 have brought lawsuits.