Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers represents those who have suffered complications from vaginal mesh or bladder sling implants.
Key Takeaways:
- Lawsuits allege that defective transvaginal mesh implants have caused women to suffer debilitating, painful complications, and that manufacturers sold the defective products without adequately warning patients or physicians of the risks.
- The implants have caused complications such as mesh erosion through vaginal tissue, organ perforation, chronic pain, infection and sepsis.
- Affected women may qualify for financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain, suffering and more.
- Manufacturers including Boston Scientific, Coloplast and Johnson & Johnson (Ethicon) have collectively paid out billions of dollars due to lawsuits.
- While transvaginal mesh multidistrict litigations have ended and the devices have been pulled off the market, vaginal mesh lawsuits continue to be filed in state courts by women who had these devices implanted before they were removed from the market.
A transvaginal mesh (TVM) is a polypropylene surgical mesh implant used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.
The FDA received over 3,979 injury reports linked to TVM between 2005 and 2010, prompting a major safety communication in 2011.
In 2016, the FDA reclassified TVM as a Class III (high-risk) device, requiring manufacturers to prove their safety and effectiveness.
In April 2019, the FDA ordered manufacturers to stop selling TVM for pelvic organ prolapse repair after two companies failed to prove the products’ safety and effectiveness.
Call our experienced defective medical device lawyers today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one suffered complications from a vaginal mesh or bladder sling implant. We will charge you no legal fee until we win your case.
Table of Contents
- Who Qualifies for a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit?
- Which Manufacturers Are Named in TVM Lawsuits?
- Vaginal Mesh Injuries
- What Is My Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit Worth?
- Examples of Vaginal Mesh Settlements
- How Long Do I Have to File a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit?
- FAQs
- Contact Our Transvaginal Mesh Lawyers Today
- Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Updates – 2026
Who Qualifies for a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit?
You may qualify to file a lawsuit if you were implanted with a synthetic transvaginal mesh and experienced complications afterward.
Women who have undergone revision surgery to remove or adjust their mesh implant typically have the strongest cases which can lead to the largest transvaginal mesh settlements.
You may still qualify even if your vaginal mesh surgery happened years ago, depending on when your complications first became apparent.
Family members of patients who died from mesh-related complications may qualify to file wrongful death claims.
You do not need to have filed a formal complaint with the FDA or your physician to be eligible.
Which Manufacturers Are Named in TVM Lawsuits?
Common manufacturers involved in the transvaginal mesh lawsuits include CR Bard, Boston Scientific, Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson) and Coloplast.
Boston Scientific products frequently named in lawsuits include the Obtryx, Advantage Fit and Uphold Lite.
Coloplast products named in litigation include the Altis, Aris, Supris and Restorelle.
Ethicon products include the TVT and Prolift systems, with most cases involving legacy injuries.
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits claim that these manufacturers are guilty of:
- Defective design
- Failure to warn
- Manufacturing negligence
- Fraudulent concealment of known risks
Vaginal Mesh Injuries
Many women have reported severe complications regarding transvaginal mesh products, including the need for revision surgeries, mesh erosion and chronic pain.
Polypropylene mesh used in TVM implants has been shown in multiple studies to begin degrading within 60 days of implantation, releasing oxidized particles into surrounding tissue.
Common injuries suffered due to vaginal mesh complications include:
- Mesh erosion through vaginal tissue or surrounding organs
- Chronic pelvic pain and nerve damage
- Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
- Recurring urinary tract infections and incontinence
- Organ perforation involving the bladder, bowel or blood vessels
- Vaginal scarring or shrinkage
- Infection and sepsis
- Recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence despite implantation
- Emotional distress and long-term psychological harm
A 2025 observational study of 765 women referred for pelvic mesh complications found that 92 percent reported chronic pain as a primary complication, with over half ultimately requesting full mesh removal.
What Is My Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit Worth?
Average settlements regarding transvaginal mesh lawsuits usually range from $40,000 to $450,000 depending upon the injury severity and complications.
Cases with catastrophic injuries, multiple revision surgeries or strong evidence of manufacturer negligence can result in jury verdicts in the millions.
Factors which influence settlement amounts in transvaginal mesh lawsuits include the injury severity, the number of required surgeries, and any impact on the daily life of the plaintiff.
Compensation in a transvaginal mesh lawsuit may cover medical expenses, pain, suffering, and lost wages.
Settlements regarding standalone transvaginal mesh cases are trending higher than cases processed via MDLs.
Settlements depend heavily on documentation. It is critical to preserve medical records and surgical history to maximize your claim.
Our law firm can help you recover financial compensation for:
Medical Bills
The complications which are associated with transvaginal mesh implants commonly require extensive medical intervention. This includes surgeries to repair or remove the mesh.
In fact, women with transvaginal mesh complications commonly require multiple revision surgeries in order to address issues such as chronic pain and erosion.
We can help you recover compensation for all past and future medical expenses related to your TVM implant, including compensation for surgeries, ER visits, hospital stays, doctor visits, medical tests, medical procedures, medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation and more.
Lost Wages
Our firm can help you recover compensation for any wages you were unable to earn due to a TVM implant, whether it be because you were injured too badly to work or because you had to take time off from work to attend medical appointments.
Loss of Earning Capacity
Our law firm can help you recover compensation for any reduction or loss of earning capacity caused by a disability which was the result of a TVM implant.
Pain and Suffering
Chronic pain as well as other complications from transvaginal mesh products can lead to significant emotional distress, including depression and anxiety.
We can help you recover compensation for any physical pain, mental suffering, emotional distress or lost quality of life resulting from your TVM implant complications.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a loved one to TVM complications, our experienced wrongful death lawyers can help you recover compensation for funeral and burial costs and the loss of your loved one’s love, companionship, household services, income and spousal benefits. We can also help you recover compensation for any medical bills your loved one incurred prior to passing as well as any pain and suffering your loved one endured before they passed.
Examples of Vaginal Mesh Settlements
A woman won $2.5 million in April 2022 in a lawsuit filed against Coloplast. The jury concluded that the mesh implant the woman received was defectively designed, and that Coloplast provided insufficient warnings about the implant’s risks.
A Philadelphia jury, in 2019, awarded $80 million to a woman who filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson unit Ethicon. The jury found that the Prolift device implanted in the woman was defective, and that Ethicon’s conduct justified the awarding of punitive damages.
A New Jersey jury, in 2018, awarded $68 million to a woman who filed a lawsuit against C.R. Bard Inc. The jury found that the Avaulta and Align TVM implants the woman received were defective, and that Bard’s conduct was worthy of punitive damages.
Boston Scientific, in 2015, settled about 3,000 claims for about $119 million. This averaged around $40,000 per claimant. In addition, that year also saw Boston Scientific ordered to pay a single plaintiff $100 million in a transvaginal mesh lawsuit.
Endo International Plc, in 2014, agreed to pay about $830 million in order to settle about 20,000 transvaginal mesh claims involving its subsidiary American Medical Systems. The settlement resolved claims that pelvic mesh devices manufactured by the company caused injuries like mesh erosion, infection and pain.
Total payouts from vaginal mesh makers to injured women are estimated at approximately $8 billion.
Johnson & Johnson, in 2020, was ordered to pay $344 million for deceptive marketing of its mesh products.
Jury verdicts create settlement pressure. Manufacturers increasingly prefer quiet out-of-court resolutions when trial risk is high.
Individual standalone cases are currently consistently yielding stronger results than MDL-era settlements did.
How Long Do I Have to File a Vaginal Mesh Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations for filing transvaginal mesh lawsuits varies by state. It typically starts when the injury gets discovered, not necessarily when a mesh was implanted.
The time limit typically runs two to three years from the date that complications first became apparent.
The clock often starts not from the date of implantation but from when you discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, that the mesh caused your injuries.
Women who underwent revision surgery within the last few years or who were recently diagnosed with mesh-related injuries may still be within the filing window.
Eligibility for prospective vaginal mesh plaintiffs can be further extended by the discovery rule or fraudulent concealment arguments in certain cases.
Consulting an attorney as soon as complications get diagnosed is vital to understand your legal options and preserve your rights.
FAQs
Is the Vaginal Mesh Litigation Still Active in 2026?
Yes.
New transvaginal mesh lawsuits are actively being filed as individual cases in state courts across the country.
The major MDL consolidations have concluded. However, this has not ended the litigation.
Manufacturers continue to privately resolve cases. State dockets in New Jersey, Minnesota and Massachusetts remain active.
What If I Signed a Consent Form Before Surgery?
Signing a consent form does not automatically prevent you from filing a lawsuit.
Manufacturers can still be held liable for defective design or failure to properly warn physicians and patients.
What Is Needed When Filing a Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit?
Eligibility criteria for filing transvaginal mesh lawsuits typically includes proof of implantation as well as documented mesh complications.
It is important that you document all complications and medical treatments related to the transvaginal mesh in order to support your case. Women are encouraged to collect medical records as well as documentation of their injuries before they consult with an attorney about transvaginal mesh lawsuits.
Key requirements for transvaginal mesh lawsuits include:
- Comprehensive medical records: Documentation that details initial implantation, complications, revision surgeries and follow-up care.
- Proof of complications/injury: Evidence of organ perforation, mesh erosion, severe pain, urinary issues or infection, requiring doctors’ documentation.
- Proof of manufacturer/product: Information that identifies the specific manufacturer and type of mesh used. Attorneys can help you identify this.
- Legal counsel: An experienced product liability attorney who handles transvaginal mesh cases.
- Meeting the statute of limitations: Filing the lawsuit within the legally allowed time. This varies by state, and is often two or more years from the discovery of the injury.
What Do Transvaginal Mesh Attorneys Do for My Case
Key services which are provided by transvaginal mesh attorneys include:
- Case evaluation: Determining if your claim is valid based upon complications, implantation date and product used.
- Investigating liability: Proving that a mesh had design defects or lacked proper warnings.
- Managing litigation: Handling all paperwork and court filings, representing you at trial or negotiating with manufacturers.
- Calculating damages: Evaluating future and current medical expenses, lost wages and compensation for pain and suffering.
- Navigating deadlines: Filing your case within a state’s specific statute of limitations in order to avoid dismissal of your case.
What Should I Know When Hiring a Transvaginal Mesh Lawyer
Key considerations to keep in mind when hiring a transvaginal mesh lawyer include:
- Experience and specialization: Look for lawyers with a proven track record handling transvaginal mesh lawsuits, especially lawyers with experience managing product liability claims.
- Investigative resources: The lawyer needs to be able to identify your implant’s manufacturer, since surgeons often don’t remember this.
- Case strategy: Ask your potential lawyer how they’ll establish a direct link between the defective mesh and your complications.
- Case duration: Know these cases are complicated and could take 3-7 years to settle or resolve.
- Legal fees: Most mesh attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid when you receive compensation.
- Communication style: Choose an attorney who is transparent and responsive, avoiding those who are disorganized and difficult to reach.
What Are the Allegations in Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits?
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits commonly focus on claims of negligence, failure to warn and design defects by manufacturers.
Manufacturers are accused of not disclosing risks and not properly testing transvaginal mesh products.
Transvaginal mesh lawsuits are claims which are filed against manufacturers of surgical mesh products which treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.
Many women who end up filing transvaginal mesh lawsuits report experiencing mesh erosion, chronic pain and other serious complications which significantly impact their quality of life.
Over 100,000 transvaginal mesh claims have been filed on behalf of women who have been injured by these products.
Can a Bladder Sling Come Loose?
Yes. Bladder slings, or mesh slings, can come loose, erode or move, causing procedures to fail and leading to recurrent urinary incontinence.
Meshes can shift or contract, necessitating revision surgery, sometimes multiple surgeries, such as removal or tightening surgeries, for complications such as continued leakage, infection or pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Sling Problems?
Key symptoms of bladder sling problems include:
- Urinary retention/voiding dysfunction: Trouble starting a stream, feeling like your bladder isn’t empty, or an inability to urinate.
- Mesh erosion/extrusion: The mesh may erode into the bladder, urethra or vagina, causing vaginal bleeding or spotting, vaginal discharge or infection, pain during intercourse or stabbing/pricking sensations in the vagina.
- Recurrent incontinence: Stress urinary incontinence may return or worsen.
- Urgency and overactive bladder: An increased urgency to urinate, increased frequency, and waking up at night (nocturia).
- Chronic pain: Pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, groin or thighs.
- Signs of infection: Fever, discharge at the incision site, redness and increased pain.
Can a Bladder Sling Cause Pain?
Yes, a bladder sling can cause pain.
Temporary pain is common during recovery.
However, persistent pain can result from mesh erosion, infection or nerve damage.
Severe, long-term pain may necessitate further surgery to remove the mesh.
What Happens When a Bladder Sling Fails?
When bladder slings fail, it commonly leads to recurrence of stress urinary incontinence, severe complications from mesh extrusion or erosion such as bleeding and infection, and chronic pain.
The mesh may shift or contract, causing it to erode into the vagina, urethra or bladder, requiring revision surgery.
What Should I Do if a Bladder Sling Fails
You should consult with a urogynecologist and receive a comprehensive evaluation if your bladder sling fails.
Options for treatment will include conservative therapies like pelvic floor physical therapy and medication, as well as surgical revisions.
Consider consulting with an experienced defective medical device lawyer who can help you recover financial compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering and more.
What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Mesh Problems
The symptoms of bladder mesh problems include:
- Pain
- Mesh erosion/exposure
- Painful intercourse
- Urinary issues
- Incontinence
- Vaginal scarring
- Tightening/shortening of the vagina
How Long Does a Mesh Lawsuit Take?
Women should know that the legal process regarding a transvaginal mesh lawsuit can last several months to years, depending on case complexity.
Average settlements can take one to three years, and complex cases may take three to ten years, especially when appealed.
What Are the Symptoms of Pelvic Mesh Failure?
Symptoms of pelvic mesh failure include:
- Chronic pain
- Vaginal erosion/extrusion
- Urinary complications
- Vaginal discharge and bleeding
- Recurrence of pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence
- Difficulty sitting or walking
How Much Does It Cost to File a TVM Lawsuit?
Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis.
This means that we will charge you no legal fee until we win your case.
Our only fee is a percentage of any recovery we obtain for you. We charge no upfront fee and no out-of-pocket fee, so you will never owe us a single penny out of your own pocket.
Contact Our Transvaginal Mesh Lawyers Today
Call us today for a FREE consultation at (800) 718-4658 or contact us if you or a loved one suffered complications from a bladder sling or vaginal mesh implant. We will charge you no legal fee until we win your case.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. All cases are unique and results depend on cases’ specific facts.
Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Updates – 2026
March 2, 2026 Update
A Massachusetts family has alleged that a Coloplast transvaginal mesh was designed defectively, and that the company provided inadequate warnings about the product. Their lawsuit alleges that severe complications occurred post-implantation.
The lawsuit claims that an intense inflammatory response was triggered by the mesh’s implantation, and alleges that the patient suffered mechanical complications due to the polypropylene mesh. These complications included chronic inflammation and mesh contraction, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that the placement and design of the product led to a “non-anatomic” pelvic condition which may lead to functional impairment and persistent pain.
The lawsuit alleges that the implantation led to serious injuries such as bowel blockage as well as perforation which required bowel removal and surgery. The lawsuit also alleges that the implantation led to constipation, painful intercourse, additional or recurrent prolapse and/or incontinence, difficulty voiding, and ongoing abdominal, groin and suprapubic pain.
New vaginal mesh lawsuits continue to be filed in the transvaginal mesh litigation. Women who have ended up experiencing complications from any transvaginal mesh implants are encouraged to have consultations with lawyers to explore their various legal options.
February 25, 2026 Update
Several cases have filed notices which tell the court that a settlement in principle was reached and jointly requested inactive status. All deadlines have been stayed until the settlement can get finalized and the case be dismissed.
December 9, 2025 Update
Over six years after vaginal mesh implants were banned by federal regulators, women are still developing complications and injuries from the products which were used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence.
A lawsuit filed on November 24 alleges that a woman received an Obtryx II mesh implant almost one decade ago, and that the vaginal mesh device required removal last month after the development of complications.
Vaginal mesh manufacturer Boston Scientific has been named as the defendant in the lawsuit, which was filed in Massachusetts.
The pelvic mesh lawsuit alleges that the woman, because of the pelvic mesh implant, suffered injuries and complications including chronic pelvic pain, mesh erosion, dyspareunia, pelvic inflammation and vaginal bleeding.
The lawsuit alleges that the woman had the implant removed on November 4, but might still need more procedures. It also alleges that the woman is expected to continue enduring disfigurement, significant pain and additional lasting vaginal mesh complications.
September 11, 2025 Update
Plaintiffs’ attorneys continue filing new standalone pelvic mesh claims in state courts, especially in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
July 13, 2025 Update
New transvaginal mesh claims continue to be filed in state courts around the country despite the federal MDLs seeing mass settlements. Many of the claims target Boston Scientific and Coloplast over recent surgeries or newer injuries.
Transvaginal mesh case settlement amounts have ranged from $40,000 to $450,000 depending on the severity of injuries. Jury verdicts have reached $80 million, $41 million and $57.1 million regarding Johnson & Johnson in recent years.
November 1, 2024 Update
A recent study has shown that polypropylene mesh that is used in transvaginal implants begins to degrade within 60 days of being implanted, leading to higher risks of complications. This raises concerns about the mesh’s long-term safety.
The new study found that the mesh goes through significant changes after 60 and 180 days of being implanted which may cause patients problems. Researchers discovered that the mesh’s surface began to degrade, oxidize and shed tiny particles into tissue. This got worse as the mesh was in the body longer, and by 180 days, cracks started to appear, the mesh started to stiffen and more particles got released.
July 23, 2024 Update
A federal appeals court has reinstated transvaginal mesh claims after West Virginia’s Supreme Court clarified design defects’ burden of proof.
It was ruled by the Fourth Circuit that a couple’s expert testimony was improperly restricted by a federal trial court. It was ruled that the testimony only needed to demonstrate that the injury risk could be substantially reduced by alternative designs.
February 24, 2023 Update
The United States Supreme Court rejected Johnson & Johnson’s bid to overturn a $302 million payout in a vaginal mesh case.
The case involved claims that the company misrepresented risks associated with the use of vaginal mesh products sold to doctors and consumers in California.
Early 2020 saw a California judge order the company to pay California $344 because of deceptive marketing of surgical mesh devices. The award was later reduced to $302 million.
The company appealed the verdict, arguing it wasn’t proven that the company’s marketing materials reached consumers in California, and arguing it wasn’t fairly warned that it could end up facing such a large fine.
February 21 saw the Supreme Court announce it wasn’t going to review the case, allowing the verdict to stand. An explanation was not given for this decision.
October 21, 2022 Update
Federal regulators concluded from a final post-marketing study done by Coloplast that transvaginal mesh surgery isn’t superior to native tissue repair, yet carries significantly more risk.
The regulators’ findings seem to confirm the FDA does not intend to change its opinion regarding the benefits and risks of transvaginal mesh products at this point.
The FDA concluded that Coloplast transvaginal mesh products don’t have a favorable risk/benefit profile because of their erosion and mesh exposure risks.
August 18, 2021 Update
Two studies that were federally mandated reveal that Boston Scientific’s mesh implants did not fare better than native tissue repair while involving additional health risks like erosion through vaginal tissue, mesh exposure and the need for mesh removal surgery.
The studies found little difference in the effectiveness of traditional native tissue repair and transvaginal mesh procedures.
The FDA concluded that the defective pelvic mesh devices don’t have a favorable risk/benefit profile because of the additional risks attached to them, like erosion and mesh exposure.
March 25, 2021 Update
Boston Scientific agreed to pay $188.6 million to 47 states and the District of Columbia as part of a settlement intended to resolve claims that it withheld information regarding the risks of transvaginal mesh products and advertised deceptively nationwide.
The settlement resolved allegations that were resolved in a lawsuit filed on the same day that the settlement was announced. The lawsuit alleged that the company misrepresented its mesh products by not providing adequate warnings about the products’ safety risks.
The company has also agreed to implement new marketing training as well a reform the way it conducts clinical studies.
September 28, 2020 Update
C.R. Bard has agreed to pay $60 million in order to settle vaginal mesh claims filed by 48 states regarding the company’s marketing of mesh products.
Attorneys general claim the company has deceptively marketed its products. They accused the company of failing to adequately disclose or misrepresenting serious health risks that are linked to the transvaginal mesh devices, including the risk of scarring, chronic pain, mesh erosion, infections and additional transvaginal mesh injuries.
Bard did not admit wrongdoing while agreeing to this settlement.
February 4, 2020 Update
A judge in California has ordered transvaginal mesh manufacturer Johnson & Johnson as well as Ethicon to pay California $344 million due to deceptive pelvic mesh product marketing. State prosecutors claim this marketing endangered women.
The past decade has seen problems linked with the design of mesh products intended for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse repair surgeries, leading to women suffering devastating, painful injuries.
The ruling comes after May 2016 saw California sue Johnson & Johnson following an investigation which found that the company misrepresented the severity and frequency of complications from the mesh products.
This is the first time a court has found the company engaged in deceptive and illegal business practices while promoting its mesh products.
October 24, 2019 Update
Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon have agreed to pay almost $117 million in order to resolve transvaginal mesh claims filed by 41 states as well as the District of Columbia. The settlement resolves claims that the companies deceived states about the efficacy and risks of the devices.
The company will pay the participating states $116.86 million. In addition, the company can’t call its mesh products “FDA approved” anymore, can’t say that surgical technique or experience can eliminate risks linked to the products, needs to make sure that doctor training covers risks associated with the products, and needs to disclose a list of mesh complications and risks.
May 1, 2019 Update
The FDA banned the sales of all transvaginal mesh products for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse in April of 2019 because of safety concerns. However, mesh slings for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence are still available.
