Compensation After Hernia Surgery
With advancements in medical technology and procedures comes an increase in risk and chance of complications. There is no doubt that modern medicine works ‘miracles’ and high-tech procedures cure and treat thousands of people. Regardless of how improved the medical field has become, however, there are still complications with different procedures or devices that injure patients. In 2013, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration issued a recall on hernia mesh products. Atrium C-QUR, Ethicon, and Bard are just a few of the manufacturers of hernia mesh involved in the recall.
What is Hernia Mesh?
A hernia arises when an organ, intestine or fatty tissue goes through a hole or weak spot of muscle or connective tissue. Often, a hernia will occur in the abdomen wall, even physically manifesting as an external bulge. Sometimes, an individual will be able to wait and see if the hernia causes problems or symptoms. The only way to actually repair a hernia is to perform surgery.
Hernia mesh is most often used to repair hernias. The mesh is a medical device “used to provide additional support to weakened or damaged tissue.” Most meshes are made out of a synthetic material, or even animal tissue. Hernia mesh is used because it has the highest chance of keeping the hernia from coming back. Therefore, in some cases the risk of using the hernia mesh outweighs the advantage of a different approach to surgery. Complications from the hernia mesh occur because of incorrect placement of the mesh, migration, or even just the overall health of the patient.
Complications
There have been common complications as a result of hernia mesh. Complications can cause serious injuries, and in the worst cases even death. These complications include:
- Pain where the mesh implant is located
- Joint pain
- Fistulas
- Perforation of the bowel
- Mesh migration
- Infection
- Reoccurrence of the hernia
- Mesh shrinkage
- Adhesion to the tissue
- Bunching of the mesh
What are My Damages?
Complications from a surgery that uses hernia mesh to repair the hernia can lead to a personal injury claim. In Florida, both economic and non-economic damages are available. Economic damages are what you would traditionally think of as monetary damages. This includes past and future medical bills, lost wages, and any other monetary expense as a result of the faulty hernia mesh. In addition to economic damages, you may be entitled to non-economic damages. These are amounts that are harder to quantify, like a monetary amount based on pain and suffering of the victim.
Let Us Help You with Your Case
If you or a loved one have had complications because of a hernia mesh surgery, the skilled attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez in Florida can help you. We work tirelessly to get you the compensation that you are entitled to. We combine years of experience with dedication to try to get your desired results. If you have been injured, you need to focus on recovery. Let the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez take on the challenge of getting you just compensation, so you can focus on healing. Contact us today to start investigating your claim.
Resource:
fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/HerniaSurgicalMesh/default.htm
