Vaginal Mesh Claims

Vaginal Mesh Lawyers

If you have undergone vaginal mesh treatment and feel that you may have suffered injury as a result, then please do not hesitate to contact our specialist medical negligence lawyers.

Contact us

Contact

  • “Osbornes, is described as having ‘superb judgement and a medical knowledge that is second to none.”

  • “Her level of detail in dealing with cases is forensic.”

What is vaginal mesh surgery?

A vaginal mesh is a device used to treat urogynaecological conditions for stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. Stress incontinence is a very common condition for women after childbirth and at menopause with around 20% of women suffering from this condition. Pelvic organ prolapse affects up to half of women who have had children and occurs when a pelvic organ (which can include the bladder, rectum or uterus) moves out of place. Commonly, this happens when the pelvic muscles are weakened or damaged.

Pelvic organ prolapse can be very life limiting making it difficult to use the toilet and causing painful symptoms in the vagina and loss of sensation. The mesh was aimed to give support to weakened organs and repair damaged tissue.

Mesh was used in the UK from the mid-1990s and data was produced to the effect that between April 2008 and March 2017, 100,516 patients had a tape insertion procedure for stress incontinence and 27,016 patients underwent a mesh procedure for pelvic organ prolapse. In the same period, 71,350 had a non-mesh procedure for pelvic organ prolapse.

The initial trials indicated low rates of complication and high success rates but controversy started to build when there was a body of counter-evidence that mesh wasn’t as efficient as indicated and that there was a higher rate of complication with 1 in 15 women suffering complications warranting removal of the mesh by surgery.

Vaginal mesh negligence

There were a number of cases where patients suffered serious harm from surgery including mesh erosion/extrusion, such as vaginal scarring, fistula formation, painful sex, bladder infection, bladder perforation, bowel and nerve trauma and chronic pain usually in the pelvis, back and legs. It was thought to be one of the most shocking NHS scandals of its time with one of the main complaints being a failure to inform patients of the risk. This included private patients as well as NHS patients.

Following calls from patients and senior professors against the use of mesh, The Independent and Medical Devices Safety Review recommended that doctors pause using mesh and this was implemented by the government in July 2018 pending a review. The review led by Baroness Julia Cumberlege and the report of the IMMDS (Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety) entitled First Do No Harm was published in July 2020 and the government finally responded in July 2021.

The review attracted immediate attention and the NICE Guidelines for Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women: management was finally published on 2 April 2019 which is relied upon by medical professionals to date.

While mesh is not banned, it is recommended to be used as a last resort and under very strict supervision for exceptional cases.

Many patients continue to suffer debilitating conditions relating to mesh procedures. There are more recent statistics supporting that the rate of complications is as high as 1 in 6 patients.

Notwithstanding the reports, reviews, and strict recommendations as to how best to treat patients suffering from organ prolapse and stress incontinence, there are worrying reports projecting that the UK has plans to become Europe’s key market for pelvic mesh within 8 years. New research is being undertaken to support mesh products which is reported to fail to properly account for the risks and appearing to exaggerate the benefits.

There are some excellent dedicated mesh online support groups available, with the most well-known website being https://slingthemesh.co.uk

Under English law, medical practitioners are required to act in accordance with a reasonable body of medical opinion and if they fall below this standard and cause loss or injury to patients, they are liable under the law of negligence. Osbornes Law has represented patients in medical negligence actions against private doctors and NHS Trusts in relation to vaginal mesh products.

How to make a vaginal mesh claim

If you have undergone vaginal mesh treatment and feel that you may have suffered injury as a result, then please do not hesitate to contact partner and specialist medical negligence lawyer Stephanie Prior on stephanie.prior@osborneslaw.com or Jodi Newton, Senior Associate Solicitor, on jodi.newton@osborneslaw.com

Contact us today

For a free initial conversation call 020 7485 8811

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you

    • [utm_campaign_i][/utm_campaign_i]
      [utm_source_i][/utm_source_i]
      [utm_medium_i][/utm_medium_i]
      [utm_term_i][/utm_term_i]
      [utm_content_i][/utm_content_i]
      [gclid_i][/gclid_i]

    • “The team is very quick and efficient in responding."

      CHAMBERS UK 2023

    • "Obsbornes Law is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes for clients."

      CHAMBERS UK 2023

    • ‘They are ambitious for their clients and expect high standards from all who work with them.’

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Osbornes somehow combine the accessibility of a local firm, with the professional standards of a national or city outfit."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Osbornes, is described as having ‘superb judgement and a medical knowledge that is second to none."

      Legal 500 2023

    • Stephanie has developed a particularly strong reputation for her handling of birth injury claims, as well as cases concerning surgical negligence and delays in surgery.

      Chambers UK

    • "An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie Prior takes on complex cases and gets excellent results. She has a background in medicine which serves her clients well and is a realistic but tough litigator."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie Prior is hugely dedicated, adored by her clients, tenacious, efficient and extremely knowledgeable."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie Prior is very good with troubled clients and is easily able to make them feel at ease."

      Legal 500 2021

    • "Stephanie shows sensitivity and deals with things in an understanding way."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • Osbornes provides a very intimate and personal client service which is increasingly rare in this sector.

      Legal 500 2020 - Clinical Negligence

    • The lawyers in the team are highly experienced and will drive cases very hard on behalf of their clients.

      Legal 500 2020 - Clinical Negligence

    • "Stephanie Prior has a realistic attitude to the complexities of the cases. She wins the trust of her clients and goes the extra mile to ensure they get the best outcomes."

      Legal 500 2020 - Stephanie Prior

    • "Stephanie Prior... manages a varied caseload, including obstetric claims, child and adult brain injury cases and fatal and non-fatal spinal cord injury cases."

      Chambers UK

    • "Stephanie is experienced, knowledgeable of all aspects of clinical negligence work, and strategic in running cases."

      Chambers UK

    • "An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."

      Chambers UK

    • "The team were extremely professional in putting my needs first. There was a joined-up approach to catering for the client, and all lawyers involved were briefed and constructive."

      Chambers UK

    • Stephanie Prior is always very professional and kind. Highly recommended.

      Medical Negligence Client

    • Quite simply excellent, with a highly competent and well-rounded team. They understand complex medical litigation and have been our lifesavers, and we will always owe them our immense gratitude.

      Medical Negligence Client

    News & InsightsVIEW ALL

    1. new born baby
      9.6.2023

      Early Notification Scheme – is it helping or failing...

      What is the Early Notification Scheme? The NHS Early Notification Scheme (“ENS”) has reached its sixth anniversary. Established in April 2017,...

      Read more
    2. 5.6.2023

      Are pharmacy closures putting patients at risk?

      It has been reported in the press that chemist closures will have an impact on patients living in deprived or...

      Read more
    3. Confidential file
      11.4.2023

      Osbornes Instructed After Local Authority Data Breach

      Osbornes Law have recently negotiated a settlement on behalf of two clients who had their personal information inadvertently released to...

      Read more
    4. pregnant lady
      23.3.2023

      Private Pregnancy Scans and Substandard Care

      In the news, it has been reported that private clinics that offer pregnancy scans to women are not meeting the...

      Read more
    5. baby hand in mothers hand
      7.3.2023

      5-figure settlement for infusion leak to mother

      Elline Demetriou has reached another successful outcome for a Claimant, who pursued a post C-section birth injury to mother claim...

      Read more
    6. Cannula in right arm of indian man
      14.2.2023

      The risk of extravasation injuries during iron infusion...

      Many patients with low iron, particularly during pregnancy or postnatally, may be advised they need an iron infusion such as...

      Read more
    7. water
      9.2.2023

      Perineal Tear case settles for 6-figure sum

      Stephanie Prior recently settled a birth injury claim relating to a woman who delivered her baby after a traumatic labour....

      Read more
    8. dentist
      23.1.2023

      Court avoided after settlement agreed in dental negligence...

      The Medical Negligence team have recently negotiated the settlement of a complex dental negligence case. Our client experienced a number...

      Read more
    9. Doctor With Stethoscope And Files
      13.1.2023

      Delayed cancer diagnosis results in five figure settlement

      The medical negligence team at Osbornes Law has recently settled a case involving a patient who passed away following a...

      Read more
    10. hands of surgeon
      14.12.2022

      Successful settlement for negligent care during kidney transplant...

      Claimant v Royal Free London NHS Trust Osbornes have reached a settlement agreement on behalf of a Claimant who brought...

      Read more
    11. Modern dental office interior
      10.11.2022

      Successful claim against dental practice after negligent treatment

      Osbornes Law have reached another successful outcome for a client, who pursued a claim against dental practitioners due to medical...

      Read more
    12. Ambulance outside a hospital Accident and Emergency department.
      9.11.2022

      Transfer time from ambulance to A&E causing...

      The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) have identified that patients may come into risk of harm whilst waiting in ambulances...

      Read more
    13. The doctor looks at the x-ray
      9.11.2022

      Breast cancer screening mammograms and negligence

      Breast cancer screening has improved significantly in the UK due to research bettering the understanding of this terrible disease, which...

      Read more
    14. Doctor Or GP In Office Meeting Teenage Female Patient
      28.9.2022

      Women more likely to have symptoms ignored by...

      An increasing number of women in the UK feel brushed off by GPs when presenting with real symptoms, with many...

      Read more
    15. Hospital sign MATERNITY
      21.9.2022

      Are maternity services safe? – Part 2

      In April last year I wrote a piece about government setting up a taskforce to look into why there are...

      Read more
    16. Pregnant woman performing cardiotocography CTG
      8.9.2022

      Poor interpretation of CTG can result in stillbirth...

      Poor interpretation of a Cardiotocograph, more commonly known as a CTG, is a leading cause of stillbirth and brain injuries...

      Read more
    17. asian old man devastated by bad news
      9.8.2022

      New interactive rating tool reveals NHS wait times...

      Amidst record-breaking heatwaves and a lengthy patient waiting list due to COVID backlogs, it is not surprising that this summer...

      Read more
    18. Medical doctor in empty hospital corridor
      1.8.2022

      Successful settlement for birth injury that led to...

      Stephanie Prior’s case relating to the death of Gabriela Pintilie has settled and has been approved by the High...

      Read more
    19. Insulin injection needle or pen for use by diabetics
      14.7.2022

      Insulin overdose in hospitals due to limited staff...

      A century ago, insulin was first used to treat a 14-year-old boy dying of type 1 diabetes A hundred years later,...

      Read more
    20. Doctor
      6.7.2022

      GP Negligence claim leading to fatality successfully settled

      Osbornes acted for a Claimant who brought proceedings on behalf of the estate of her late son, X, relating to...

      Read more
    21. NHS Building
      6.7.2022

      NHS aims to reduce waiting times with Elective...

      The NHS recently recorded their waiting list to be at 6.5 million, a record high. Much of this backlog is due...

      Read more
    22. doctor women at office
      29.6.2022

      Nottingham Maternity: Donna Ockenden to Chair Independent Inquiry

      An interim report on the state of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has just been released. However,...

      Read more
    23. Neglijenta medicala spital din UK
      23.5.2022

      Justice for client who suffered serious birth injuries

      The Clinical Negligence team at Osbornes Law have recently negotiated the settlement of a case in which our client sustained...

      Read more
    24. 28.4.2022

      Calls for Public Inquiry into Vaginal Mesh Surgery

      A leading professor from the University of Oxford has called for a public inquiry into the use of vaginal mesh...

      Read more

    VIEW ALL

    Accreditations

    • Times best law firms 2023
    • scil logo
    • legal 500 leading firm
    • chambers logo