The term “mesh lawsuit” typically refers to legal cases involving transvaginal mesh implants, which have been the subject of thousands of lawsuits in the United States and other countries. These lawsuits generally allege that certain types of synthetic pelvic mesh devices caused serious complications in patients, particularly women who received them to treat conditions like:
- Pelvic organ prolapse (POP)
- Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
Background: What is Transvaginal Mesh?
Transvaginal mesh is a surgical mesh made from synthetic material used to support damaged or weakened pelvic floor muscles. It was commonly implanted through the vagina to help hold organs in place or prevent urine leakage.
However, many patients experienced serious complications, including:
- Mesh erosion through the vaginal wall
- Chronic pain
- Infection
- Organ perforation
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Recurrence of prolapse
- Neurological issues
These complications often required additional surgeries, sometimes multiple, to remove or repair the mesh.
Major Manufacturers Involved in a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit
Several major medical device manufacturers were sued over transvaginal mesh products:
- Johnson & Johnson (through its subsidiary Ethicon)
- Boston Scientific
- American Medical Systems (AMS) – owned by Endo Health Solutions
- C.R. Bard (now part of Becton Dickinson)
Legal Outcomes
- Multidistrict Litigation (MDL): Thousands of mesh-related lawsuits were consolidated into MDLs in federal courts for more efficient processing.
- Settlements: Many companies settled claims out of court for billions of dollars:
- Johnson & Johnson paid over $3 billion in settlements.
- Boston Scientific paid more than $200 million in early settlements and later much more.
- Endo (AMS) also settled thousands of cases for hundreds of millions.
Despite these settlements, some cases went to trial with large jury awards, though many were later reduced or overturned on appeal.
FDA Actions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took several steps in response to concerns:
- 2008: Issued a public health notification about complications from transvaginal mesh.
- 2011: Upgraded the risk classification of mesh for POP.
- 2019: Banned most transvaginal mesh products for pelvic organ prolapse in the U.S., citing insufficient evidence of long-term safety and effectiveness.
International Lawsuits
Mesh-related litigation is not limited to the U.S.:
- United Kingdom: The government banned certain mesh procedures and launched independent reviews.
- Australia: A Senate inquiry led to restrictions and compensation programs.
- Canada: Class-action lawsuits were filed against manufacturers.
- Ireland, France, New Zealand: Also saw bans, restrictions, and compensation efforts.
How to File a Mesh Lawsuit (U.S.)
If you or someone you know has been injured by transvaginal mesh, here’s what you might consider:
- Consult a lawyer specializing in medical device litigation.
- Provide medical records documenting implantation and complications.
- Determine if your case falls within the statute of limitations.
- Decide whether to join a class action or file an individual claim.
Recent Updates (as of 2024–2025)
- Most major mesh litigation has concluded, but some smaller cases may still be pending.
- Some companies continue to face scrutiny over related products or marketing practices.
- Advocacy groups are still pushing for better regulation and patient awareness.
Resources
- FDA.gov – Surgical Mesh
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
- Drugwatch – Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit
- Patient advocacy groups like Mesh Awareness Network or The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
If you’re considering legal action or want to learn more about mesh lawsuits, visit:
- What does pelvic mesh do and why are women suing over it? – Guardian explainer on vaginal mesh lawsuit
