Another Physiomesh Lawsuit Moves Forward
Gary Goodson thought he was going into the hospital to repair a recurrent hernia. Instead, since his hernia surgery, he has had continuous complications. In May of 2017, he filed a suit in the Southern District of Illinois against Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon, Inc., stating, “the multi-layer coating prevented adequate incorporation of the mesh into the body and caused or contributed to an intense inflammatory and chronic foreign body response resulting in an adverse tissue reaction including migration and damage to surrounding tissue in the form of sclerotic, granulomatous and/or fibrotic tissue and improper healing.”
Physiomesh is made of something we have seen before
Ethicon, which is part of the Johnson & Johnson umbrella, makes Physiomesh, a hernia mesh that is an implanted medical device. Physiomesh was taken off the market in May of last year due to higher than normal rates of revision surgeries, as well as adverse effects from patients. Because Physiomesh was fast-tracked through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ethicon bypassed safety testing and reporting requirements. It was not public knowledge that the Physiomesh product is made with polypropylene, which is the same material used to construct the Johnson & Johnson Ethicon-made defective transvaginal mesh devices that were recalled.
Physiomesh is a coated version of this same polypropylene mesh that contains an absorbable film. This is designed to keep the polypropylene mesh from adhering bodily tissues in hernia repair. The problem occurs when the coating degrades and the body absorbs it. This causes allergic reactions and significant strain to the kidneys. Because Physiomesh was fast-tracked through the FDA, it is called “510(k) cleared,” but cannot boast the label of FDA approved. This also means that the product is not protected from litigation. If you have been hurt by a dangerous medical device, you need the help of an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney.
It is your right to have ethical medical care that adheres to the utmost standards of quality. You should never have to worry about being implanted with a medical device that could hurt you through complications or the infection of dangerous bacteria. If you or a loved one has suffered because of a dangerous medical device, contact the South Carolina product liability attorneys at McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC. We are experienced in polypropylene mesh cases, and are long-time dedicated advocates for those who have suffered from such negligence. Our experience will help you recover fair compensation for being harmed by a medical device. Contact us online or call us today at 803-327-7800 for a free case review.
Randy is the former President of the South Carolina Association for Justice. He has been certified by the American Board of Professional Liability as a specialist in Medical Malpractice Law which is recognized by the South Carolina Bar. Randy has also been awarded the distinction of being a “Super Lawyer” 10 times in the last decade. He has over 25 years of experience helping injured people fight back against corporations, hospitals and wrong-doers.
Read more about S. Randall Hood