Exploring Hernia Mesh Complications and the Resulting Lawsuits in Chicago

Most days, when a product doesn’t deliver as promised, we just go to the store and ask for a refund. Every so often, something malfunctions so badly that it puts people at risk; that’s when we see lawsuits.

Hernia mesh is made of polypropylene and is often used to reinforce hernia repairs during surgery. This usage started in the 1980s and hasn’t slowed down— despite the prevalence of failures. However, as medical cases, failures, and expenses go up, so, too, do the number of lawsuits facing manufacturers. Let’s dive in.

All About Hernias

No one likes hernias; anyone who isn’t already cringing while reading this either hasn’t had one or is lucky enough only to have mild ones so far. A hernia is what happens when one of your organs decides it’s feeling cramped and pushes through the lining of muscle or tissue along your abdomen or groin. 

There are many different kinds of hernias, some more prevalent in men and those assigned male at birth, others more prevalent in women or those assigned female at birth, and even more that all genders get to experience the misery of. There are hernias that more prevalently target the elderly and hernias that are birth complications; hernias can affect any of your loved ones. Hernias are generally named for the area where they form or the organ affected.

Hernias exist with a wide range of symptoms and effects, from mild inconvenience to necrotizing intestines. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? All hernias worsen over time and will eventually need surgical repair.

There are two types of surgery for hernias: hernia repair and laparoscopic. Both are generally outpatient procedures, and both may use a hernia mesh to strengthen the repair.

What Are the Complications Of Hernia Mesh?

Hernia mesh is sometimes called surgery mesh. It’s a synthetic mesh that supports damaged tissue while the hernia heals after surgery. Unfortunately, for many patients in Chicago and across the US, hernia mesh can just as readily make the issue more complicated. 

Warning Signs of Hernia Mesh Failure

If you or a loved one had hernia repair surgery, it’s important to watch for these symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in stool
• Constipation
• Difficulty urinating
• Fever
• Recurring hernia
• Rash or swelling around the surgical site
• Urinary tract infection
• Wound drainage

Your doctor should also watch for signs of organ damage.

Potential Complications From Hernia Mesh

The hernia mesh could be breaking down physically, causing an infection, or more. The most common complications are:

• Adhesion to internal tissue
• Bowel obstruction
• Cancer from infected material
• Chronic pain
• Hernia recurrence
• Infections and sepsis
• Mesh erosion
• Nerve damage
• Organ or tissue perforation
• Pain
• Seromas

The Prevalence of Hernia Mesh and Related Lawsuits

The US sees over a million hernia repairs within a year, and around 800,000 of these will use a mesh. And yet, 10-20% of patients end up needing revision surgery because of the hernia mesh.

You may be asking how this ever passed the FDA in the first place. The truth is that the failure rate is far higher than what was originally estimated. The FDA has forcefully recalled (and demanded voluntary recall) hundreds of hernia meshes and worked to warn consumers of the danger. One manufacturer was forced to close their facilities after compromising patients. However, other meshes are still on the market.

Now, however, patients are fighting back. If you or a loved one have been harmed, or worse, if someone you love has died as a result of a hernia mesh malfunction, you should call a Chicago defective medical device attorney.

Many victims and families of victims have gone to the courts seeking justice. But there is so much paperwork, many important deadlines, and different styles of cases. This isn’t something you can represent yourself for.

How Personal Injury Firms are Helping Chicago Families

Expert attorneys throughout the city are bringing together victims and families of victims to seek accountability, justice, and compensation. Revision surgeries, physical therapy, medications, mobility aids, and other purchases can result from failed medical devices like hernia mesh. Families also face lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. In nightmare cases, compensation can also cover funeral and burial costs.

Chicago attorneys are helping families gather the documentation and expert testimony they need and representing them in negotiations and court cases. They act as stalwart guides and trustworthy allies, protecting you and your family from lowball offers and scummy negotiation tactics. With one of Chicago’s expert personal injury lawyers, you can rest assured that your claim gets the attention it deserves and that you aim for maximum compensation.

If you or a loved one is due for hernia repair, please talk to your medical team about any concerns regarding hernia mesh. Make sure they are confident in their choice of mesh, and talk to them about successful cases. Hernia mesh can be an incredibly valuable tool— when it works.

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