Hernia Mesh Lawsuit

Many hernia repair surgeries happen without harm to the patient. But complications can and do arise. These complications are often a result of the mesh used in the hernia surgery. Sometimes the complications prove fatal.

One study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the five-year incidence rate of mesh-related complications was 5.6 percent for patients who underwent open mesh hernia repair and 3.7 percent for those who underwent laparoscopic mesh repair. Another study found a 4.5 percent mortality rate among patients who underwent hernia mesh repair.

If you’ve undergone hernia mesh surgery and experienced long-term health problems, you need to speak to a lawyer right away. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled several kinds of surgical mesh due to the damage these products caused in patients. If you were harmed by a defective mesh, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Attorney Michael J. Gopin and his skilled team have been helping Texas residents with complex personal injury claims since 1987. Our firm has the experience and the resources to take on large medical device companies. Contact us now to learn how we can help with your case.

Why Is Hernia Mesh Surgery Necessary?

Hernias occur when specific muscles or connective tissues in someone’s groin or abdomen weaken, causing organs, intestines, or fatty tissues to push through. A hernia injury can be extremely painful, possibly even life-threatening. They are some of the most common injuries that require surgical repair worldwide. In the United States alone, the FDA estimates that more than 1 million hernia surgeries are performed every year. In many of these, surgical mesh is used to repair the damaged tissues and block the organs or intestines from pushing through.

Some of the most common causes of hernias include increased abdominal pressure as a result of:

• Lifting heavy objects
• Diarrhea and constipation
• Being obese
• Over-exerting yourself
• Smoking
• Poor nutrition
• Persistent sneezing and coughing

What Complications Can Be Caused by Hernia Mesh Surgeries

There are complications and risks anytime someone undergoes a surgical procedure. But there are certain risks that are unique to hernia mesh implantation surgeries. Implant procedures are generally riskier than other kinds of surgery. Some of the potential complications from hernia mesh include:

• Foreign body response: Our immune system is designed to attack objects that it perceives as not belonging in our body, which includes things like hernia mesh. (This is why many types of mesh are made from animal-based materials.) If your body rejects the hernia mesh implant, it can result in painful inflammation and irritation of the surrounding tissues, infection, scarring, and other complications.
• Organ perforation: Hernia mesh needs to be placed carefully within the body and properly secured. Otherwise, it may cause additional complications. If the mesh is placed too close to an organ or other tissues, it may perforate or puncture the organ, causing internal bleeding and other serious health concerns.
• Adhesion: Some scarring is unavoidable with most surgeries. But sometimes a hernia mesh surgery will result in multiple scarred tissues binding together.
• Intestinal obstructions: If the mesh isn’t implanted correctly, it can block part of the intestines, or the mesh may become stuck to part of the intestine. In either case, severe pain and other complications can result.
• Mesh migration: If the hernia mesh is improperly implanted, it may detach itself from the abdominal wall and begin to move within the patient’s body. This can be extremely painful and wreak havoc with your organs, digestive tract, and other bodily functions.
• Mesh shrinkage: Depending on the material used in its manufacturing process, hernia mesh can shrink over time after it’s been implanted. This can cause the hernia to reopen and other complications.

Types of Compensations That You Can Pursue

If you’ve been injured after a hernia mesh surgery, you can pursue compensation for a wide range of physical, financial, and other losses. These include:

• The cost of your past and future medical bills
• The value of any lost wages if you’ve had to miss work because of surgical complications
• Reduced future earning capacity, if your injuries have made it harder for you to work
• Your physical pain and suffering stemming from the surgery
• Any mental anguish caused by the fallout from the surgery

How to File a Hernia Mesh Lawsuit

If you believe you’ve suffered injuries as a result of a hernia mesh surgery, here’s what you will need to do to seek compensation:

• Find out what type of mesh was used in your surgery so you can file a claim against its manufacturer
• Show that your injuries were caused by the hernia mesh
• Record any medical expenses as a result of the surgery and its complications
• Show how the complications from the surgery have impacted your daily life
• Document any other damages stemming from the surgery

An experienced hernia mesh lawyer from our firm can help you throughout the claims process. We can handle all the details of your case from start to finish, allowing you to focus on your health.

How the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin Can Help You

Successfully proving your case in a hernia mesh lawsuit can be a challenge. But it’s much easier with help from a knowledgeable lawyer. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin have more than 30 years of combined legal experience helping people like you. Here’s how we can help with your case:

• We’ll gather your medical records and other evidence to help substantiate your case.
• We’ll handle all the paperwork and all the communication with the other parties involved in your claim (doctors, hospitals, insurance companies, opposing lawyers, etc.)
• We’ll help document your damages to make sure you are pursuing every dollar you’re entitled to in compensation.
• We’ll aggressively fight for a fair settlement reflecting all that you’ve lost as a result of your hernia mesh surgery. If the opposing parties refuse to offer a fair settlement, we can bring your case to trial to fight for the justice you deserve.

Texas law gives personal injury victims two years from the date of their injury to file a claim. So it’s important to act quickly if you’ve been injured by hernia mesh. The sooner you speak to an attorney, the faster we can get started on your claim.

Contact Us Today

There’s no reason to suffer in silence if complications from hernia mesh surgery have harmed you. Demand the financial relief you deserve by working with an experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Michael J. Gopin, PLLC. Contact us now to get started with a free initial consultation.