Buffalo, New York: Breast Mesh Lawsuits

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Is a Recognized Super Lawyer Who Is Committed to Providing Unparalleled Personal Injury Service. If You or a Loved One Has Been Injured After Receiving a Breast Mesh Implant in Buffalo, New York, The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Could Help You Explore Your Best Options for Effective Legal Relief.

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The Federal Food and Drug Administration has warned that certain types of internal breast implants, including those made from surgical mesh, could present serious medical risks.

Surgical breast mesh products are used for a wide range of purposes, not all of which are cosmetic. Breast mesh materials can provide augmentation and support and are, in some cases, used to assist in reconstructive surgery after serious accidents. Many of these products utilize so-called “internal bra” techniques. Internal bras scaffold mesh within skin tissue to lift and position the breasts.

In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration issued a nationwide alert, warning medical providers of the dangers of using breast mesh-type products. The FDA noted that, although “surgical mesh products are cleared for the repair and reinforcement of soft tissue where weakness exists,” the overall “safety and effectiveness of surgical mesh in breast surgery” has not yet been determined.

“There are no surgical mesh products cleared or approved by the FDA for use in breast surgery, including in augmentation or reconstruction,” the agency wrote in a press release.

Breast mesh products continue to be used in surgical procedures, despite studies indicating that mesh neither lowers patient risk nor leads to improved health outcomes. In some cases, women have developed significant and even life-threatening complications as a result of mesh-based implants. Researchers believe that women who received mesh implants are, for instance, more likely to develop bacterial infections than women who receive comparatively conventional implants.

If you or a loved one has been injured after receiving a mesh breast implant or other mesh-based internal bra, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Preliminary investigations suggest that mesh breast products were not adequately tested before being released. Furthermore, some companies may have failed to warn doctors about the danger of using new mesh products, making it difficult for everyone involved in a procedure, from patients to their health care providers, to make an informed decision about the best possible form of treatment.

A recognized U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. knows what it takes to build a compelling, evidence-based case for compensation. Since our founding in 2005, we have helped our clients in Buffalo secure more than $300 million in damages money that they have used to eradicate their medical debt, afford the highest-quality care, and begin rebuilding their lives in the wake of a serious accident. We could help you, too. Please send us a message online or call us today at 716-839-3939 to speak to a product liability lawyer in Buffalo and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Breast Meshes and Your Health

Breast mesh, sometimes called an “internal bra,” is a scaffolding material that can be inserted inside the breast during procedures like lifts, reductions, and augmentations. Most breast mesh products fall into one of the following categories:

1. Biologic breast meshes. Biologic breast meshes are made from natural tissue that is harvested from either a human or animal donor. The tissue is stripped of certain cells, leaving behind collagen that acts as a scaffold. Over time, biologic meshes integrate with the patient’s own tissue, leaving a natural structure behind.
2. Synthetic breast meshes. Synthetic meshes are made from non-natural materials, including plastics and other polymers. Some synthetic meshes can be absorbed by the body’s natural tissue, but others remain in place permanently.

Biologic and synthetic breast meshes are usually inserted through the use of an internal bra technique. The term “internal bra” can be misleading, because it refers to a fairly wide range of techniques rather than a specific clinical procedure. In general, though, internal bras are only supposed to be used to supplement another procedure. The main benefits of internal bras are that they do not require additional surgery and can, over longer periods of time, provide greater lift and augmentation than if no mesh was inserted, potentially preventing sagging.

Breast mesh products arguably offer some benefits over alternatives, but they have well-known risks, too. One of the most significant risks is that of bacterial infection. Since even biologic meshes are still comprised of foreign cells that, in some cases, are harvested from cadavers or non-human animals they can trigger a harsh immune system reaction. Some infections can become so serious that they require the removal of the mesh in its entirety.

Meshes can have other disadvantages. If the mesh is not stabilized, it could erode or even move out of position. This prevents the mesh from offering support; it can also lead to secondary symptoms, like disfigurement or chronic pain.

Overall, there is no firm, scientific consensus on whether breast mesh materials are safer than other options.

The Most Common Breast Mesh Products

Many biologic and synthetic breast mesh products have been implicated in cases of infection, medical complications, and other injuries.

Some of the most common of these breast mesh products include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. AlloDerm, a biologic bresh mesh manufactured by Allergan-LifeCell;
2. Strattice, a biologic breast mesh manufactured by Allergan-LifeCell;
3. AlloMax, a biologic breast mesh manufactured by C.R. Bard-Becton Dickinson;
4. Phasix, a synthetic breast mesh manufactured by C.R. Bard-Becton Dickinson;
5. DuroSorb, a synthetic breast mesh manufactured by Galatea Surgical-Becton Dickinson;
6. GalaFLEX, a synthetic breast mesh manufactured by MTF Biologics; and
7. FlexHD, a biologic breast mesh manufactured by MTF Biologics.

Of the most common breast mesh products, GalaFLEX, DuraSorb, FlexHD, and Alloderm are among the most frequently used in breast augmentation and reconstruction procedures.

The Potential Value of a Breast Mesh Settlement

You have a right to make an informed decision about what goes into your body.

Although science has yet to reach a consensus on the safety of breast mesh products, a growing body of evidence suggests that both biologic and synthetic meshes are associated with a higher risk of infection and other medical complications. At the same time, manufacturers and plastic surgeons still advertise meshes as a convenient and safe product, despite knowing the potential danger.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a breast mesh, you could be entitled to significant damages. Your damages are unique to your claim, but they could include compensation for your:

1. Hospital bills;
2. Physical rehabilitation;
3. Reconstructive or corrective surgery;
4. Mental health counseling;
5. Lost income from work;
6. Physical pain and suffering;
7. Emotional pain and suffering; and
8. Disfigurement.

Unlike many states, New York does not cap damages in most personal injury claims. This means that, by filing a lawsuit, you could obtain as much money as you need to begin rebuilding. However, you should not expect a doctor’s office or breast mesh manufacturer to offer a fair settlement without a fight. Big companies know that settling a lawsuit could set a precedent for other victims, a precedent that could come at a massive cost. More often than not, these companies will do everything in their power to minimize their liability, even if it means leaving you empty-handed.

Do not take chances with your rights: call Jed Dietrich, Esq., today at 716-839-3939 to speak to a breast mesh product liability lawyer in Buffalo and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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