Florida Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Lawyers Whittel & Melton

Statewide Representation for all Hernia Mesh Victims

If you have experienced serious and life-altering side effects after having a hernia mesh surgery in Florida, then you could be entitled to recover financial compensation for your suffering. Hernia mesh lawsuits claim that these medical devices used are defective in their design and that the manufacturers have not warned of the serious complications and device failures these devices may cause.

Our Florida Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are currently accepting clients who received a hernia mesh and have had to endure additional surgeries, suffered infections, bowel obstruction or organ damage, and are living with chronic pain. We are ready and able to handle hernia mesh cases in every city and county in the state of Florida, including but not limited to:

• Tampa
• St. Petersburg
• New Port Richey
• Orlando
• Jacksonville
• Inverness
• Spring Hill
• Crystal River
• Bushnell
• The Villages
• Gainesville
• Ocala
• Fort Lauderdale
• Boca Raton
• Miami
• All Other Cities throughout Florida

What We Know About Hernia Mesh Lawsuits in Florida

The main argument surrounding hernia mesh products is that they are defectively designed, so they have been known to cause unnecessary injuries and excess surgeries that would not have occurred had the mesh product been designed correctly or if sutures had been used instead. The key legal issue of hernia mesh lawsuits is that the hernia mesh products in question are designed with materials that harden, shrink, migrate, fail, or contract which can lead to bowel and nerve damage resulting in the need for further surgeries. The manufacturers of these hernia mesh devices have been promoting and marketing these products for the use in repairing smaller hernias, which can be treated in other ways, such as laparoscopic surgery and stitches.

With 21.48 million people residing in Florida, it is no shock that so many adverse hernia mesh cases are reported to the FDA on a daily basis. Hernia repairs are quite common, with more than one million hernia repairs being performed each year in the U.S. Sadly, more than one-third of hernia surgeries result in complications, which may include:

• Bowel obstruction
• Abdominal or stomach pain from the hernia mesh
• Severe infections requiring the hernia mesh to be removed
• Neurological damage
• Renal failure
• Joint damage
• Hernia recurrence
• Organ perforation
• Pain during sex also known as “Dyspareunia”
• Adhesions from coated mesh devices
• Fistulas
• Bunching of the mesh
• Migration of the mesh
• Contracting or shrinking of the mesh
• Liver problems

Understanding Hernias

A hernia happens when an organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the muscles or tissues meant to contain it. This condition typically arises where there’s a breach in, or weakening of, the surrounding muscle or connective tissue.

Causes of Hernias

Hernias occur due to pressure combined with weakened areas in muscle or tissue. This pressure pushes the organ or tissue through, creating a noticeable bulge. Muscle weakness can be innate—present from birth—or develop over time. Sometimes, it’s a mix of both.

For instance, consider someone who’s sustained an injury that confines them to bed rest. The resulting inactivity can lead to the weakening or atrophy of core muscles, particularly in the abdomen. If this person resumes activities that strain the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, the pressure may instigate a hernia, exploiting the already fragile muscle state.

Factors Contributing to Muscle Weakness

• Congenital Weakness: Some people are born with inherently weak muscles.
• Injury Recovery: Prolonged periods of inactivity after injuries can cause muscular atrophy.
• Aging: Natural muscle loss over time can exacerbate preexisting weaknesses.

Understanding these elements is crucial for both preventing and identifying hernias, paving the way for appropriate treatment or lifestyle adjustments.

Understanding Hernia Mesh

Hernia mesh is a medical device designed to support and reinforce weakened or damaged tissue in the body, particularly where a hernia has occurred. Surgeons place the mesh across or within a muscle tear to seal the opening, allowing the body’s tissue to grow around it and achieve effective repair.

Types of Hernia Mesh

Hernia meshes come in two main types:

• Absorbable Mesh: Made from organic materials, often derived from animal tissue such as pig organs. These meshes are designed to dissolve over time, integrating with the body as healing progresses.
• Non-Absorbable Mesh: Typically crafted from synthetic materials, these meshes are intended to remain in place permanently, providing ongoing support to the repaired area.

Manufacturing and Liability

Numerous companies produce hernia meshes, and they are often marketed under different brand names. The distributors usually sell these products, with the distributor’s name often more visible than the manufacturer’s on the label. This can sometimes complicate accountability when defects occur, as determining liability can become challenging if the mesh fails or causes injury.

Recalls and Safety Concerns

Hernia mesh recalls are primarily dependent on the specific manufacturer and brand, not the distributor. Recalls may apply to certain batches or lot numbers, rather than an entire product line, to address particular defects identified during specific production periods. Staying informed about these recalls is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients to ensure safety.

Understanding the Different Types of Hernias

Hernias can occur in various parts of the body, most commonly in the abdomen. However, they are not confined there and can appear in the upper thigh or groin as well. While some hernias are noticeable with an external bulge, others remain internal yet still cause significant discomfort and health risks.

Types of Hernias

1. Inguinal Hernia: Predominantly found in the inner groin, this type is the most prevalent, particularly among men.
2. Femoral Hernia: Occurs in the upper thigh or inner groin area, more commonly seen in women.
3. Incisional Hernia: Develops at the site of a previous surgical scar. This type is often linked to the weakening of muscle tissue post-surgery.
4. Ventral Hernia: Arises in the abdominal wall, often presenting a noticeable bulge.
5. Umbilical Hernia: Occurs near the belly button, more frequently in infants but also seen in adults.
6. Hiatal Hernia: Takes place inside the abdomen, typically near the stomach. This type might not show visible symptoms but can cause digestive issues.

Prevalence and Treatment

Inguinal hernias are the most common, making up about 75% of cases in regions like the United States. Many individuals choose surgical repair due to discomfort and the potential for severe complications, such as organ strangulation.

Modern surgical techniques often involve laparoscopic procedures, which use small incisions and scope equipment. This approach speeds up recovery. To reduce the risk of recurrence, doctors often use surgical mesh to reinforce the affected area. This method is employed in over 90% of hernia repairs.

By understanding these types and treatment options, patients can make informed decisions about their healthcare.

Hernia Mesh Products Resulting in Complications

If you have suffered injuries because of a hernia mesh, our Florida Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help you understand your rights to seek financial damages past, current, and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and punitive damages. Lawsuits are currently being filed all over the state of Florida due to defective hernia mesh devices. If you have had any surgeries involving the following hernia mesh devices, we may be able to help you recover damages:

• C-QUR, Vitamesh, Proloop, Prolite, Prolite UltraQ all manufactured by Atrium
• 3DMax, AlloMaxBard Soft Mesh, Bard Mesh Sheets, Composix, Dulex, Kugel, MK Patch, OnFlex, PerFix Plug, Phasix Mesh, Phasix, Sepramesh IP Composite, Ventralex, Ventralight, Ventrio, Visilex, XenMatrix Surgical Graft all manufactured by Bard
• Premilene, Omyra, Optilene all manufactured by B. Braun
• FlexHD Structural, Physiomesh, Proceed, Prolene, Ultrapure, Ultrapure Advanced, Vicky, XCM Biologic all manufactured by Ethicon
• Bio-A, Dual mesh, Micromesh, Gore-Tex Soft Tissue Patch, Sinecure all manufactured by Gore Medical
• Alloderm Select and Strattice all manufactured by LifeCell Corporation
• Parietex, Permacol, ProGrip, Symbotex, Versatex all manufactured by Medtronic
• Parietex ProGrip Mesh, Parietex Composite Mesh, Parietex Surgical Mesh all manufactured by Covidien

Hospitals in Florida that Perform Hernia Mesh Surgeries

If you had a hernia mesh surgery performed at any of the hospitals in Florida listed below, we strongly recommend you contact us right away online or by calling us at 866-608-5529.

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