Hernia mesh is a product that is used in surgery to help keep a hernia from reopening or reoccurring. It is a mesh that is stitched in hernia repair surgeries. Hernia mesh products have been around for many years and using these products to repair hernias has been in practice for well over 50 years. However, in recent years, reports of complications have been on the rise for a variety of reasons. Beyond many new products making it to the market before they get properly and extensively researched, it’s not uncommon for a surgical procedure to be carried out incorrectly, thus causing a variety of issues.

Some of the complications that could arise from a badly performed hernia mesh surgery or a defective hernia mesh product are:

• Infection
• Inflammation
• Mesh erosion
• Hematoma
• Bowel Obstruction
• Abdominal Pain
• Nausea
• Rashes
• Fever
• Sexual Pain and Discomfort

These complications can have a devastating effect on the body and in some cases, if left untreated, these complications can be fatal.

There are many hernia mesh products on the market made by a variety of different manufacturers. Some of these product have been recalled. Among the largest brands, Ethicon Inc. (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), voluntarily recalled their physiomesh products from the market a short six years after launching. This was after a study showed that the re-operation rates using their mesh were higher compared to other mesh products available.

Another company, Atrium Medical, manufactured a mesh called C-Qur mesh, a product not unlike Ethicon’s in that it is also a physiomesh, but it was covered in Omega 3 gel coating. This mesh was recalled by the FDA after it was found that in situations of high humidity, the mesh could get stuck to the packaging during shipment or storage.

Thousands of lawsuits are being filed against Ethicon Inc. and Atrium Medical, among other companies that offer a similar mesh product. While some of the companies have already started settling many of the lawsuits filed against them, there is still time to take legal action.

If you or a loved one has undergone treatment using hernia mesh and has been injured and would like to learn more about filing a product liability lawsuit, contact our law firm online or by phone at 205.408.4357. We represent clients in personal injury cases throughout Alabama from our office in Birmingham.