Making a surgical mesh claim
The use of mesh in surgical procedures was seen as revolutionary, especially in reconstructive surgery. It provides a quick fix for a number of medical issues, reducing in-patient hospital stays and speeding up recovery times. One of the primary uses of surgical mesh is to support organs and tissues particularly following pelvic organ prolapse.
However, the use of mesh has attracted a great deal of criticism and our medical negligence department has extensive experience of dealing with compensation claims arising from the use of mesh in surgical procedures.
Oliver Thorne: Mesh claim pioneer
Oliver Thorne, who heads up our Legal 500 recommended team of medical negligence lawyers, has been dealing with mesh claims since 2012. Oliver has taken action against both the manufacturers of the mesh products and the medical practitioners who have used them in surgery. He has been a guest speaker at the Scottish Pelvic Floor Network which focussed on the legal issues surrounding the use of vaginal mesh implants. Oliver has also advised hundreds of women looking to pursue a mesh claim against either their surgeon or the manufacturer of the mesh.
Among Oliver’s successes is a mesh claim he settled for half a million pounds on behalf of a Maidenhead man who underwent an abdominal hernia mesh repair.
Oliver has developed a particular specialism in mesh claims involving the use of tape to treat stress urinary incontinence. Two types of tape are commonly used in this treatment: Transobturator Tape (TOT) and Tension free Vaginal Tape (TVT). In many cases the procedure has been performed without the patient being informed about the risks of mesh erosion/protrusion, pain on urination, incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infections, even though all these risks have been widely known in the medical community since 2013, if not earlier.
The use of TVT and TOT mesh grew in popularity between 2003 and 2013. Towards the end of this period surgeons were expressing their concerns about the risks of the implants and opting for alternative techniques, including more conservative treatments which had previously not been offered to patients due to the TVT or TOT being seen as the gold standard treatment and a relatively straightforward day case procedure with minimal rehabilitation.
Caroline Webber Brown: Experienced mesh claim lawyer
Our mesh claim team also includes Caroline Webber Brown. Caroline is highly experienced in handling all types of mesh claim. She is currently dealing with cases involving laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR), pelvic organ prolapse and both TVT and TOT cases.
Caroline is also instructed by victims of surgeon Tony Dixon, who was suspended in 2017 pending an investigation into his decision to perform LVMR procedures, which had been discovered to be unnecessary in some instances. Legal claims have been based on a failure to offer alternative, less invasive procedures, as well as the way in the surgery was carried out, and concerns about after-care and management which has resulted in additional unnecessary surgery. Both North Bristol NHS Trust and Spire Healthcare are conducting a formal review of the treatment provided by Mr Dixon.
Making a mesh claim on a no win, no fee basis
If you have suffered as a result of the use of surgical mesh and are interested in making a compensation claim then contact our expert lawyers for a free case assessment and details of no win, no fee funding. Call freephone 0333 888 0404 or send an email with brief details to us at [email protected].
