Each year, Americans go under the knife to correct hernias sustained when organs or fatty tissue break through weak points in the body’s muscular wall or surrounding tissue. A hernia can occur quickly from sudden overexertion or slowly over time if there is repeated exertion and weak muscles or tissue in a specific area.
There are many different types of hernias that can occur. Most commonly, ventral hernias are those which occur in the abdominal wall. They can also occur as inguinal hernias in the inner groin area, femoral hernias in the outer groin area, umbilical in the belly button, a hiatal hernia in the diaphragm, and incisional hernia in spots where a previous surgery has taken place. No matter what kind they are, hernias are painful and require surgery.
Americans have nearly one million hernia surgeries each year and 90 percent of them use what’s called a composite hernia mesh for repair. This medical device is designed to line the damaged tissue or muscle to help reinforce the weak spot and inhibit a hernia from breaking through again. Unfortunately, however, the hernia meshes that have been used since the early 2000s have caused many health complications after implantation.
Beginning in 2005, C-QUR patches from the Atrium Medical Corporation, which is now a part of the Maquet Getinge Group, was used and since 2010, Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson manufacturer, released its Physiomesh Flexible Composite Mesh to be used in these surgeries. Both of these hernia meshes were approved via the FDA’s 510(k) process, which allows approval of a product while not requiring testing by the FDA, only that the product is of similar equivalency to a previously approved product.
It’s no surprise that both of these devices have shown to have medical complications since their use in repairing hernias. Because of the materials used and their placement, the hernia mesh interrupts the body’s natural healing process and may cause other complications, such as:
- Bacterial infection
- Recurrence of a hernia
- Subsequent surgeries to remove or replace the mesh
- Pain
- Obstruction of the bowel
- Migration of the mesh or rejection
- Nerve damage
- A buildup of fluid at the site of surgery
- Perforations of the organs
Some of these complications can be life-threatening if not treated and correctly in a timely fashion. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed by those who have experienced negative side-effects as a result of their hernia mesh creating complications. At Portner & Shure, P.A., Attorneys at Law, we have experience in these types of cases and can help you if you’ve suffered subsequent pain and injury after a hernia mesh was implanted.
It’s important to contact an experienced attorney if you’ve suffered injury as a result of your hernia mesh. Our lawyers can help you determine if you have a case and what type of case, personal, class action, or mass tort, is best for your situation. Some other important notes to keep in mind for this type of case, which we can help you with, include:
- Knowing the deadline for your suit
- Gathering your medical records
- Finding the names of the manufacturer and brands used
If your hernia mesh has caused you health complications, please call the experienced lawyers at Portner & Shure today for a free consultation. Contact us today for a free consultation at (410) 995-1515. We serve clients throughout Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
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