Ontario Hernia Mesh Lawyers
Most hernias occur within the abdominal cavity, between the chest and the hips. People develop hernias when an internal organ, intestine, or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in the surrounding wall of muscle or connective tissue that normally contains it.
Hernias are relatively common medical complaints. In fact, hernia repair is the third most common surgical procedure annually performed in Canada. That does not detract from the severity of their symptoms. Hernias can be extremely painful. Depending on the type of hernia a patient has developed, their symptoms can include:
- Swelling beneath the skin
- Abdominal discomfort when bending down or lifting objects
- Shooting pains
- Heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Testicular pain in male patients
- And more
Rather than improving over time, if left untreated, hernias typically worsen. Many people suffering from a hernia require surgical procedures, wherein surgical mesh might be used to strengthen and support the hernia’s repair. Hernia mesh acts as a scaffold, reinforcing the affected area’s repair. It has been proven to effectively reduce recurrence, stopping hernias from developing in the same location again.
The use of surgical mesh in hernia repair surgery is widespread, and overwhelmingly common. More than 90% of hernia surgeries use surgical mesh, and the use of this medical device has been proven to assist the majority of patients who undergo surgery.
However, roughly 20% of patients who have undergone a surgical procedure in which hernia mesh was used develop postoperative complications. Although hernia surgery is intended to reduce a patient’s pain and discomfort, the complications that can arise from the reliance on surgical mesh can cause people to sustain even worse medical conditions, and even more debilitating pain.
If you have undergone hernia surgery in which surgical mesh was used and you sustained compensable injuries as a result of postoperative complications, our Ontario personal injury lawyers may be able to represent your best interests in a mass tort. To learn more about how Preszler Injury Lawyers may be able to assist you, contact us today.
Common Complications Caused by Hernia Mesh
In Canada, there is a rising concern over the use of hernia mesh in surgical procedures. Over the past two decades, 12 brands of hernia mesh have been recalled nationwide because of the painful and, in certain cases, life-threatening side effects associated with their use.
The most common adverse postoperative complications associated with hernia mesh include:
- Chronic pain
- Infection
- Recurrence
- Adhesion (scar-like tissue that sticks togethers)
- Obstruction of the small or large intestines
- Bleeding
- Fluid build-up at the surgical site
- Perforation of neighbouring organs or tissues
- Bowel obstruction
- And more
In some cases, the flat surgical mesh can roll up and migrate to other parts of the body. Hernia mesh can also erode other tissues, causing immense, prolonged pain.
Postoperative patients experiencing complications caused by hernia mesh can experience profound, life-altering consequences. In addition to the physical pain, patients who require additional medical treatment may find themselves struggling under the financial burden, especially if their resulting pain is so severe that they cannot complete the duties associated with their jobs.
Many hernia mesh complications arise because of the use of surgical products that have already been recalled and are no longer in use. However, with more than 50,000 hernia surgeries conducted across the country each year, more complications caused by surgical mesh are certain to occur.
Contact Preszler Injury Lawyers Today
If the use of hernia mesh in your surgical procedure caused you to sustain additional injuries that continue to impact your daily life and your livelihood, our Ontario personal injury lawyers may be able to represent you as part of a mass tort. Mass tort lawsuits involve numerous plaintiffs taking legal action against a single defendant, generally a large company or organization, such as the manufacturer of a dangerous or defective surgical product.
By pursuing legal action on your behalf, our Ontario personal injury lawyers may be able to help you recover the compensation you are rightfully owed. To learn more, schedule a free initial consultation by calling us today.
