Companies Behind Defective Hernia Mesh: Who Can You Sue?

Undergoing hernia repair surgery should be a step toward a healthier, pain-free life. Surgeons frequently use surgical mesh to provide support and reduce the chances of recurrence. Unfortunately, for thousands of people, these medical devices have failed, causing severe pain, infections, and the need for multiple, agonizing revision surgeries. This suffering is often not just a matter of bad luck; it is frequently the result of design flaws and manufacturing defects in products made by some of the world’s largest medical device companies.

When a medical product causes harm, victims have the right to seek justice and compensation. At Walch Law, we help people hold these powerful corporations accountable for the damage their products have caused. Knowing which companies are behind these defective devices is the first step in understanding your legal options. At Walch Law, we know how to win maximum compensation against all of these big companies. Let us help get you the money you deserve today.

Major Hernia Mesh Manufacturers Facing Lawsuits

While numerous companies manufacture hernia mesh, several key players have become the primary defendants in thousands of lawsuits due to high failure rates associated with their products. These companies are accused of putting profits ahead of patient safety by marketing devices they knew or should have known were unreasonably dangerous.

Ethicon (a Johnson & Johnson Subsidiary)

Ethicon is one of the largest and most well-known manufacturers of surgical products. The company has faced extensive litigation over several of its hernia mesh devices.

Key Product: Physiomesh Flexible Composite Mesh. This multi-layered mesh was voluntarily withdrawn from the market after studies showed it had higher rates of hernia recurrence and revision surgery compared to other meshes. Lawsuits allege that the product’s layered design prevented proper tissue integration and caused a severe inflammatory response, leading to complications.

Atrium Medical Corporation

Now a subsidiary of Getinge Group, Atrium has been a major target of lawsuits for its C-Qur line of mesh products.

Key Product: Atrium C-Qur Mesh. This mesh features a unique coating derived from fish oil (Omega-3 fatty acids). Thousands of lawsuits allege that this coating caused severe allergic reactions, adhesions, infections, and device rejection. The FDA has cited Atrium for failing to properly address complaints and for issues with its manufacturing processes.

C.R. Bard (now part of Becton, Dickinson and Company)

Bard has a long and troubled history with its hernia mesh products, facing lawsuits for decades. The company manufactures a wide range of mesh devices, many of which have been linked to serious complications.

Key Products:
- Kugel Patch: This mesh featured a plastic “memory recoil ring” that was prone to breaking. The broken rings could migrate through the body, puncturing organs and causing life-threatening internal injuries. This led to multiple FDA recalls.
- Ventralex, PerFix, and 3DMax: These and other polypropylene mesh products made by Bard are alleged to degrade, shrink, and erode inside the body, leading to chronic pain, nerve damage, and other severe complications.

Covidien (now part of Medtronic)

Covidien, a significant player in the medical device market before its acquisition by Medtronic, has also faced litigation over its hernia mesh products, particularly those made from polyester.

Key Product: Parietex Composite Mesh. Lawsuits allege that the polyester material in Parietex mesh can unravel and create a “caterpillar” effect, causing the mesh to bunch up. This can lead to chronic pain, bowel obstructions, and other serious issues. The design is also alleged to encourage adhesions and other complications.

W.L. Gore & Associates

While not as large as the other companies, Gore has also been named in lawsuits concerning its synthetic mesh products.

Key Product: Gore-Tex DualMesh. Complications cited in lawsuits include severe adhesions and infections, which plaintiffs allege are due to the material and design of the mesh.

Common Defects and Complications That Lead to Lawsuits

The lawsuits against these companies are not based on minor issues. They are centered on catastrophic device failures that cause life-altering injuries. These complications often stem from defects in the mesh’s design or materials.

Design Defects: The fundamental design of the product is unreasonably dangerous. This includes issues like Bard’s Kugel Patch recoil ring, which could break, or the multi-layered design of Ethicon’s Physiomesh, which prevented proper healing.
Manufacturing Defects: A flaw occurred during the manufacturing process that made a specific batch of products dangerous.
Failure to Warn: The company knew about the risks associated with its product but failed to adequately warn doctors and patients.

These defects can lead to a host of devastating complications:

Chronic Pain: Severe, ongoing pain that is not resolved with medication.
Infection: Deep-seated infections that require long-term antibiotics and surgical removal of the mesh.
Adhesion: The mesh fuses to internal organs, causing pain and bowel obstructions.
Migration: The device detaches and moves, potentially damaging other parts of the body.
Perforation: The mesh or its components puncture the bowels or other organs.
Revision Surgery: The need for one or more surgeries to remove the defective device and repair the damage it caused.

How Walch Law Holds Defective Mesh Manufacturers Accountable

Filing a lawsuit against a massive medical device corporation is a complex and demanding process. It requires a deep understanding of medical science, product liability law, and civil litigation. At Walch Law, our team has the experience and resources to level the playing field and fight for the justice you deserve.

When you choose our firm to represent you, we will:

Provide a Free Case Evaluation: We will listen to your story, review your medical history, and provide a clear, honest assessment of your legal options. We can help you determine if your implant is one of the many devices subject to litigation.
Handle All Evidence Gathering: We take on the burden of collecting all necessary documents, including your original implant records, revision surgery notes, and all related medical bills.
Work with Leading Medical Experts: We collaborate with top surgeons and other medical specialists who can provide expert testimony to prove that the defective mesh caused your injuries.
Manage the Entire Legal Process: We handle all communications and negotiations with the manufacturer’s legal team. We will fight for a settlement that covers your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Take Your Case to Trial: If the company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are always prepared to take your case before a jury and fight for a verdict that secures your future. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay us nothing unless we win compensation for you.

Contact Us Today for a Free, Confidential Consultation

You have suffered enough due to a defective medical device. You should not have to face the financial consequences of a manufacturer’s negligence alone. The time to file a claim is limited by law, so it is crucial to act quickly to protect your rights.

Contact the experienced product liability attorneys at Walch Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Let us help you identify the responsible parties and fight for the full compensation you and your family deserve.