Bard Surgical Mesh Lawsuit – Hernia Complications

Problems linked to Bard’s hernia mesh include:

• Hernia relapse or recurrence
• Chronic pain
• Chronic infection
• Mesh migration into nearby organs and tissues
• Mesh shrinkage
• Intestinal blockage
• Bowel adhesions or perforation
• Revision surgery to remove or correct

C.R. Bard and its subsidiary, Davol are facing thousands of hernia meshlawsuits for injuries caused by Bard products used in hernia repair surgery. Nearly2,000 Bard hernia mesh lawsuits have been consolidated in federal courts asMDL-2846.

Some patients who are required to undergo revision surgery, will face multiple surgeries to remove old mesh, reconstruct damaged tissues and repair original hernia. Each surgery poses additional risk for infection, pain and surgical complications.

Surgical Mesh Used Frequently in Hernia Repair Surgery

Each year, nearly 1 million hernia repair surgeries are performed, about 90 percent of which utilize a surgical mesh product. Hernia mesh is a mesh-like fabric or substrate which is constructed of artificial and/or natural products. Hernia mesh is surgically implanted by placing it across the damaged area and attaching it with stitches, glue or staples.

In some cases, mesh can help stabilize tissues and prevent recurrent hernias, but it may also result in complications. According to the FDA, recalled and poorly designed mesh products are to blame for a vast number of serious adverse events related to hernia repair. Because of the large number of concerns raised over hernia mesh, the FDA has created a consumer health page regarding hernia mesh and the risks of implantation.

Bard Hernia Mesh FDA Warnings and Recalls

Bard and other mesh products are Class II medical devices which were approved through the FDA’s 510(k) process. This process “fast tracks” a product to market by giving quick approval to medical products when the company claims that similar products are already in use. The 510(k) process has allowed Bard to introduce hernia mesh products which were never tested in humans.

Unfortunately, this fast-track pathway has led to a number of dangerous products making their way to consumers. Bard hernia mesh and other surgical mesh have resulted in thousands of complaints being filed with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for serious adverse events, including a number of deaths.

Bard products have historically presented particular problems, as the company has used plastic in manufacturing their mesh devices which was never intended to be used in humans. Bard Composix Kugel patch and products in its transvaginal mesh line were constructed of Marlex plastic. It was determined that Marlex plastic was likely to splinter and migrate from implantation site.

Two separate Class I recalls were issued for Composix Kugel Patch in 2005 and 2007. Class I recalls are the highest level of alert and indicate the product is likely to produce serious harm or injury. In addition, court evidence presented in Composix lawsuits showed the company that manufactured the plastic had warned Bard that it was not suitable for use in humans.

Bard Hernia Mesh Products Linked to Complications

Bard Hernia Mesh products are some of the most popular and commonly used products in hernia repair surgeries. Products which have been linked to a high number of complications and resulted in lawsuits  include:

• 3DMax Mesh
• 3DMax Light
• Composix
• Composix E/X Mesh
• Composix L/P
• PerFix Plug
• Perfix Light
• Sepramesh IP
• Ventralex Hernia Patch
• Ventralex ST Hernia Patch
• MarlexMesh
• Kugel Mesh
• Modified Kugel Mesh
• SpermaTex
• Visilex
• Ventrio
• Ventrio ST
• VentralightST

Bard Hernia Mesh Lawyers

Over 1,800 federal court lawsuits for injuries caused by Bard hernia mesh have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation as MDL-2846 in the U.S. DistrictCourt for the Southern District of Ohio. Multidistrict litigation (MDL), commonly used to consolidate federal lawsuits into one U.S. district court to allow for pooling of information and resources, is guided by a small number of experienced lawyers on the MDL executive committee. Attorneys from Seeger Weiss are part of the executive committee that will lead the MDL-2846 cases againstC.R Bard for injuries and complications caused by Bard Hernia Mesh.

When Do I Need a Bard Hernia Mesh Attorney?

Patients or loved ones of those who underwent an abdominal hernia repair surgery using Bardhernia mesh and who developed complications, required a hernia revision repair surgery or died may be eligible for compensation. A Bard hernia mesh lawsuitmay provide compensation for lost wages, medical costs, and pain and suffering.

Complications that may qualify for compensation include:

• Hernia recurrence
• Severe and/or chronic pain
• Mesh erosion, migration or shrinkage
• Bowel obstruction
• Fistula
• Intestinal paralysis
• Organ perforation
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) or Sepsis
• Requirement for hernia revision surgery

Each case is unique and must be evaluated separately by a legal expert.