Infected Hernia Mesh Lawsuit

Caswell v. Acute Care Surgeons

This surgical malpractice claim was filed in Anne Arundel County when a surgeon negligently repaired a woman's ventral hernia with synthetic mesh in spite of her concurrent colonic necrosis. The mesh became infected and the woman had to undergo additional treatment. It was filed in Health Claims Arbitration on January 16, 2018, and it is the 27^th medical malpractice case filed in Maryland this year.

Summary of Plaintiff's Allegations

A woman with a large ventral hernia, gangrene of her colon, and an abscess presented for surgical care. Her physician performed a procedure to resect the necrotic part of her colon, reattach the separated bowel segments, and place a synthetic mesh over the herniated area.

After the surgery, the woman developed multiple abdominal wall abscesses and fluid collections. It had been a mistake for her doctor to place a synthetic hernia mesh into an area of her body that was obviously contaminated, and it only served to aggravate the infections. In spite of the obvious contamination, there was a delay in diagnosing the infected mesh, causing the woman to suffer multiple unnecessary procedures during which the mesh was negligently kept in place.

As a result of the surgeon's deviation from the standard of medical care, the woman required many additional medical procedures including catheter placements, incision and drainages, debridement, lysis of adhesions, recurrent hernia repair, biologic mesh implantation, and an attempted abdominal wall reconstruction.

Additional Comments

• Surgical mesh can be used to provide additional support to weak tissue during a ventral hernia repair, making sure that the bowel is kept in its proper place; but the mesh is a controversial medical device. According to the FDA, many hernia repair complications, including pain, infection, recurrence, adhesion, obstruction, and perforation, have been associated with recalled mesh products.
• In a certain regard, this claim could also be classified as a post-surgery infection case. Just as with any other type of infection, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly increase the odds of a positive outcome. In this claim, because the patient had a medical history of necrosis, it should have been quick and easy to appreciate her infection.

Jurisdiction

• Anne Arundel County

Defendants

• A general surgeon
• Acute Care Surgeons

Negligence

• Failing to perform a proper hernia repair based on the claimant's medical history.
• Failing to timely diagnose and treat the infected synthetic hernia mesh.

Specific Counts Pled

• The claimant suffered severe, permanent, and painful bodily injury, mental anguish, and loss of income due to her surgeon's negligence.

Getting a Lawyer for Your Malpractice Claim

Have you suffered a hospital injury due to the negligence of a doctor? Miller & Zois can help you. Call us at (800) 553-8082 and speak to one of our medical malpractice attorneys who can help you or get an online case review.

More Malpractice Claim Information

• View personal injury settlements and verdicts in Anne Arundel County
• Learn about other hernia mesh malpractice claims, including the AlloDerm Hernia Patch and Ethicon Physiomesh or get a 2019 update on all of the pending cases in this mesh litigation.
• Cut bowel during hernia procedure lawsuit filed in Baltimore City

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