Texas Man Sues Maker of Hernia Repair Mesh, Claims Product Leaves Patients Sterile

AUSTIN, Texas -- An Austin medical patient is claiming that a polypropylene mesh, widely used to repair hernias in men of reproductive age, has left him sterile. Thomas Crowson, Jr. and his wife, Andrea, are suing the manufacturer, Davol, Inc., of Cranston, R.I., alleging that the company marketed a defective product and was negligent in failing to warn doctors and patients of the problem.

"We have information that leads us to believe that many, many more inguinal hernia patients, who used this particular mesh product, are sterile because of this mesh," says attorney Brian Keller, who is representing the Crowson family. "We also believe the manufacturer has covered up the problem." Keller is a partner in the Houston law firm, Hicks Thomas & Lilienstern.

An inguinal hernia, or groin hernia, is one of the most common forms of abdominal hernia. It occurs when a part of the intestine pushes through an opening in the abdominal wall down into the inguinal canal. This is the passageway through which the testicles normally descend into the scrotum shortly before birth. According to the American College of Surgeons, approximately 700,000 men in the United States undergo surgical repair for inguinal hernia each year.

The lawsuit alleges that the product, called Bard Mesh, causes scar tissue to develop between the mesh and a part of the body called the spermatic cord. A build-up of too much scar tissue can cause a blockage, leading to sterility.

Hicks Thomas & Lilienstern attorney John Thomas, who is also representing the Crowsons, says the firm is evaluating cases from across the country. "The trend is alarming. There may be many people in this situation who don't even know there is a problem and may never know until they try and have children."

The lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division.

Source: Internet Wire