NI Medical Negligence claims issued in surgical mesh implant cases
Surgical mesh implants have been used globally to treat women suffering from pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), the implant is permanent and is supposed to provide support for the bladder and other organs. Various complications with the use of transvaginal mesh has been reported in the last few years, including complaints about the use of defective mesh implants and a failure by medical professionals to warn patients of the risk of such treatments and advise on alternatives.
This has led to a recent pause on the use of surgical mesh being extended to Northern Ireland, having already been introduced in England and Wales in order to review the dangers of the treatment.
Women have reported complications such as bleeding, severe pain, nerve damage and infection, as well as depression and mental health problems. In many cases, women were not warned appropriately about the potentially life changing side effects of the treatment. Worse still is the fact that mesh implants are often very difficult to remove because of the risk of further complications, this extends the pain and suffering of the thousands of women across the UK and Ireland who have had this treatment.
Women are no longer suffering in silence and various large scale claims have recently been made against Government bodies and manufacturers.
In England the NHS has paid £327,798 to 4 women who said medical professionals treated them with transvaginal mesh without their full consent. A group of women from Northern Ireland are also bringing a medical negligence claim against the NHS as a result of complications with their mesh implants.
American company Johnston & Johnston are being sued by 400 women across the UK for providing defective mesh implants which have caused personal injury.
Women who have been caused injury as a result of a faulty mesh implant may be entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering this has caused. Likewise, if a medical professional does not explain the risks and alternatives to a patient appropriately or does not obtain full and informed consent then a claim for compensation as a result of medical negligence may arise.
At PA Duffy and Company our experienced medical negligence and personal injury solicitors can offer expert legal advice and representation for women who have suffered as a result of mesh implant complications. We provide legal representation in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
We understand this can be a difficult problem to discuss, our solicitors will deal with your case in a compassionate and professional manner and most importantly will fight for the compensation you deserve.
The temporary halt on the use of transvaginal mesh in the UK is a positive step toward mitigating the risks women are exposed to when receiving this treatment and making progress for the future. Nonetheless, this does little to improve the situation of the thousands of women in the UK who have had this treatment and are suffering from its painful side effects on a daily basis.
It appears that there has been a systematic failure on the part of the NHS and private clinics to regulate the use of mesh implants. There has also been a significant failure on the part of manufacturing companies who have produced defective mesh implants.