Over the years, thousands of women have come forward with serious complications related to pelvic mesh implants. The FDA has received tens of thousands of reports of injuries linked to mesh and sling devices used for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) repair. Since 1999, when these devices first became available, there have been three major nationwide recalls on transvaginal mesh products. Due to mounting concerns, the FDA has ordered the removal of many of these products from the market and instructed manufacturers to cease their sale and distribution. With nearly 1 in 4 women experiencing pelvic floor disorders during their lifetime, the impact has been far-reaching and devastating.
If you have suffered complications related to pelvic mesh implants, you are not alone. Bossier & Associates can help you seek justice and the compensation you deserve for the harm caused by these products.
What Is a Pelvic Mesh Implant?
Pelvic mesh, commonly called transvaginal mesh, is a medical device made from synthetic materials like polypropylene. These net-like implants are used in surgical procedures to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI). POP involves the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles, which causes organs such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum to shift out of position. SUI, on the other hand, leads to leakage of urine during physical activities or sudden movements.
The primary goal of a pelvic mesh implant is to reinforce weakened vaginal walls and provide support to affected pelvic organs. Once implanted, the idea is that tissue would grow into the mesh to create a stronger support system, but for many women, this has not gone as planned, leading to painful and debilitating complications.
What is Pelvic Organ Prolapse Treatment?
Pelvic mesh devices are often used in POP surgeries to reposition and stabilize organs in the pelvic area, such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum. For those with SUI, mesh sling systems are utilized, with a strip of the mesh placed beneath the urethra to prevent urine leakage. The device is designed to bolster weakened pelvic tissues, providing the stability needed to improve quality of life.
While this treatment was intended to be a long-term solution, countless women have suffered unexpected consequences due to the design and use of these devices, prompting many to seek legal recourse.
How Pelvic Mesh Is Used in Bladder and Organ Support
Pelvic mesh is surgically implanted through the vaginal wall, a procedure that involves setting the mesh in place to support pelvic organs. Over time, the body’s tissue is supposed to integrate with the mesh, reinforcing its position to prevent organ prolapse and urinary incontinence. Unfortunately, for many patients, this integration process has led to severe complications.
Complications Leading to Pelvic Mesh Litigation
The widespread use of pelvic mesh implants, intended to treat conditions like POP and SUI, has unfortunately led to a significant number of debilitating complications for many women. These injuries, ranging from chronic pain and recurring urinary issues to more severe problems like organ damage and mesh erosion, have prompted extensive litigation against the manufacturers of these devices.
Allegations of defective design, negligent marketing, and a failure to adequately warn patients and medical professionals about the potential risks have formed the crux of these lawsuits, seeking justice for the profound and life-altering consequences experienced by affected individuals.
Common Injuries from Pelvic Mesh Implants
Women who receive pelvic mesh implants have reported a long list of injuries and side effects, including but not limited to the following:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Recurring urinary problems, including incontinence or difficulty urinating
- Pain during intercourse
- Organ prolapse recurrence, including the bladder or uterus
- Severe infections and abscesses
- Burning or stabbing pain along the pudendal nerve
- Pelvic bleeding
- Bowel, bladder, and blood vessel perforations
- Pelvic muscle or floor damage
- Mesh erosion or extrusion through vaginal walls
- Mesh contracture, shrinkage, or hardening
- Chronic inflammation or internal scarring
- Fistula development (abnormal tissue connections between organs)
The debilitating nature of these injuries has prompted thousands of lawsuits against manufacturers whose products were found defective, negligently designed, or improperly marketed without adequate warnings.
Issues with Bladder Mesh Sling Devices
While intended to provide relief from SUI, bladder mesh sling devices have been associated with additional complications, such as pain, infection, and surgical revisions. These claims have been a critical focus in pelvic mesh lawsuits, leading to significant legal settlements.
Pelvic Mesh Products and Manufacturers
Several major manufacturers have faced legal scrutiny due to the complications linked to their pelvic mesh devices. This includes but is not limited to the following companies and their specific products:
- Johnson & Johnson/Ethicon: Gynecare TVT, Gynemesh, Prolift+M, Abbrevo TVT, Prolene Mesh Patch
- Bard: Avaulta Plus, Pelvisoft Biomesh, Pelvicol Tissue, Faslata Allograft
- Boston Scientific: Advantage Mid Urethral Sling System, Pinnacle Pelvic Floor Repair Kits, Uphold Vaginal Support System
- Coloplast: Altis, Supris, Restorelle Y-Mesh, Aris
The legal actions against these companies highlight the serious concerns regarding the safety and efficacy of their specific mesh products, prompting intense scrutiny of their design, testing, and marketing practices. For individuals who have received implants from these manufacturers and experienced toxic effects, understanding the specific product used is a crucial step in exploring potential legal recourse.
2025 Updates in Pelvic Mesh Lawsuits and Settlements
February 2025: Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit was ordered to pay $41 million in damages to a woman who suffered severe complications from the Gynecare TVT implant. The jury found the product defectively designed and determined the company had acted negligently.
March 2025: Settlements were reached in New Jersey, holding Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific, and other manufacturers accountable for the harm caused by their pelvic mesh products. Tens of thousands of women across the U.S. and Europe continue to await compensation for their pain and suffering. England’s Patient Safety Commissioner has even called for government-backed compensation for injured individuals.
Eligibility for a Pelvic Mesh Lawsuit
You may be eligible to file a pelvic mesh lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:
- Received a transvaginal mesh implant between 2002 and the present
- Experienced severe side effects, including infection, organ perforation, chronic pain, erosion, or failure of the device
- Underwent additional surgeries, hospital stays, or medical treatment to address complications
- Have medical records linking your injuries to your pelvic mesh device
If you believe you meet these requirements, it is crucial to contact Bossier & Associates to understand your rights and the available options for pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses.
Signs You May Have a Pelvic Mesh Claim
To strengthen your pelvic mesh lawsuit claim, you may need to provide documentation such as:
- Medical records from your implant procedure
- Identification of the specific mesh product used
- Proof of complications, subsequent treatments, or surgeries
- Bills and statements detailing medical expenses
- Evidence of pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life
These types of documentation can strengthen your pelvic mesh lawsuit by providing concrete evidence of your implant, the resulting complications, and the impact those complications have had on your quality of life.
Documentation and Timeline to File
In Mississippi, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those related to defective medical devices like pelvic mesh, is generally three years from the date the injury occurred.
However, Mississippi also recognizes the discovery rule. This means that if the harm resulting from the pelvic mesh was not immediately apparent, the statute of limitations may not begin to run until the injured person discovered, or through reasonable diligence should have discovered, that their injuries were caused by the mesh implant.
It is crucial for Mississippi residents who believe they have been harmed by pelvic mesh to consult with an attorney at Bossier & Associates as soon as possible to understand how the discovery rule applies to their specific situation and to ensure their claim is filed within the appropriate legal timeframe.
Why Hire an Experienced Pelvic Mesh Lawyer?
Navigating a pelvic mesh lawsuit can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. An experienced lawyer understands the complexities of these cases, from gathering evidence to negotiating settlements or going to trial. At Bossier & Associates, we can help hold negligent manufacturers accountable and secure the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Get Help from a Pelvic Mesh Lawsuit Lawyer Today
At Bossier & Associates, we are dedicated to advocating for women who have suffered injuries from pelvic mesh implants. If you or a loved one is struggling with complications from these products, contact us today. We will evaluate your claim, walk you through your legal options, and fight to get you the justice and compensation you rightfully deserve. Schedule a consultation with us now to take the first step toward rebuilding your life.
