Bard Hernia Repair Lawsuit Alleges Mesh Damaged Bowel, Resulting in Need for Colostomy Bag

According to allegations raised in a product liability lawsuit filed last week, problems with Bard hernia mesh caused a Florida man to suffer devastating injuries following a hernia repair, where the mesh corroded his bowels so badly that he is now left with the need for a colostomy bag for the rest of his life. 

Joseph A. Godwin filed the complaint (PDF) against C.R. Bard Inc. in the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Volusia County, Florida on August 31, indicating that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks associated with one of its prosthesis hernia products, and failed to adequately design and manufacture the mesh before distributing the mesh for use during hernia repair.

Godwin underwent hernia surgery in April 2013, during which a 20 cm by 15 cm Bard prostheses mesh was implanted in his body. However, he indicates that he later began to suffer pain, swelling and other complications.

In August 2015, Godwin underwent hernia revision surgery, and it was found that the Bard mesh had corroded into his bowel, requiring removal of the damaged areas. As a result, he will have to use a colostomy bag for life.

“The 20 x 15 cm Bard hernia repair prosthesis placed in Plaintiff’s body was defective and unreasonably dangerous condition at the time the products caused Plaintiff to have pain, inflection and undergo additional surgeries,” the lawsuit states. “As a direct and proximate result of the defective and unreasonably dangerous condition of the 20 x 15 cm Bard Hernia repair prosthesis did not work properly, causing injuries, pain and permanent damages to the Plaintiff as the product corroded into Plaintiff’s bowel causing removal of the damaged portion of bowel and causing Plaintiff to have to use a colostomy bag.”

Godwin presents claims against Bard for negligent manufacture and strict liability.

The case joins a growing number of hernia mesh lawsuits continue to be filed against manufacturers of various different products introduced in recent years, which have since been found to be the cause of painful and debilitating injuries nationwide.

While most of the cases filed to date have involved Ethicon Physiomesh lawsuits and Atrium C-Qur mesh lawsuits, as lawyers continue to review and evaluate cases for individuals who experienced problems in recent years, additional allegedly defective products are being identified, and the scope of the hernia mesh litigation continues to widen.