Thirty new hernia mesh patients and their families have joined the Ethicon Physiomesh® Flexible Composite multidistrict litigation filed in the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. This addition brings the number of Plaintiffs in the MDL who allege they suffered severe complications after being implanted with the device to more than 300.

“Hernia repairs are one of the most common surgical procedures in the country and this recent influx of cases speaks to what we already know — that by manufacturing hernia mesh that we believe to be defective, Ethicon’s products have potentially harmed thousands,” said Motley Rice medical attorney Don Migliori, who is co-lead counsel and a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the growing litigation. “We anticipate that there will be several more cases filed against Ethicon in the coming months. We will work tirelessly to uncover the facts behind the withdrawal of this device from the market.”

Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, withdrew Physiomesh from the market in May 2016 after reviews of the device found that it failed at a higher rate compared to similar products. The device was first approved in April 2010 under the FDA’s 510(k) program, a fast-tracked approval process that doesn’t require clinical trials prior to approval for use in patients.

Defective Hernia Mesh Allegations

Plaintiffs in the MDL allege that what was presented to them as a hernia repair instead caused them to suffer severe and potentially life-threatening complications. They include a Motley Rice client who, after rushing to the emergency room with abdominal distention, pain and vomiting, was found to have been implanted with allegedly defective Physiomesh. In addition to not being properly anchored, doctors claim the device contained a large hole that large sections of her small bowel had slipped through.

Complications of defective hernia mesh can include:

  • hernia recurrence requiring additional surgeries
  • adhesions
  • bacterial infections
  • pain and swelling
  • mesh migration

Our Leadership in Hernia Mesh Lawsuits

In addition to Don’s leadership in the Physiomesh MDL, medical device attorney Jonathan Orent is lead counsel in a similar hernia mesh MDL related to Atrium Medical Corp.’s C-QUR Mesh products. Motley Rice is also reviewing claims involving Composix® Kugel® mesh patches manufactured by C.R. Bard subsidiary Davol, and all hernia mesh manufactured by C.R. Bard made of Marlex polypropylene.

If you or a loved one suffered severe adverse effects after being implanted with Ethicon’s Physiomesh or another hernia mesh product, you may contact medical device attorneys Don Migliori or Jonathan Orent by email or call 1.800.768.4026.