Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit: 2026 Update, Who Qualifies & How To File

Transvaginal mesh or pelvic mesh lawsuits claim that several product manufacturers knew that their mesh was defective and could cause serious complications. These can include erosion, organ perforation, severe pain, painful sex, mesh migration and other issues that require surgery to remove the mesh.

At one time, there were thousands of cases in multidistrict litigation (MDL). These MDLs consolidated cases against each company into federal courts. Those are now closed, and individual transvaginal mesh lawsuits continue in state courts.

A free case review through Drugwatch can help you see if you qualify for a transvaginal mesh lawsuit.

Lawsuits After Mesh Procedures

Pelvic mesh is made of polypropylene, a woven plastic, and serves as a hammock to support weakened or damaged tissue. Doctors surgically implant mesh through the vagina, and it acts like a net to hold up organs.

Because of the health risks, the FDA banned transvaginal mesh for POP in 2019, though mesh slings remain available for the treatment of SUI. Most women who filed transvaginal mesh lawsuits received the mesh for POP or SUI. Some women required multiple surgeries to remove the mesh, and even after multiple surgeries, pieces of the mesh remained and continued to cause discomfort and problems. The main claims are that manufacturers produced faulty products and failed to warn the public of the health risks.

Women who filed lawsuits after receiving vaginal mesh devices for prolapse or stress urinary incontinence (SUI) say they suffered from painful injuries such as chronic pain, vaginal erosion and mesh migration.

Some women had problems sitting, walking, having sex and participating in other activities, according to lawsuits. The complications were so serious that many women had to undergo multiple revision surgeries to remove the implants.

Women who filed lawsuits claim that “Pelvic Mesh Products had not been adequately tested and found to be safe and effective for the treatment of incontinence and prolapse.” They also claim that defendants provided patients with false and misleading information about how safe and effective the products supposedly were.

According to a 2017 BMJ study, the products were cleared for use based on “weak evidence.”

“Most of the mesh products were classified as 510K products,” lawyer Holly Ennis told Drugwatch. “So the FDA has required many of the mesh manufacturers to reclassify them as Class III medical devices, meaning they would have to go through the pre-market approval process. Most of the mesh manufacturers have not wanted to undertake that entire procedure and have just withdrawn the mesh from the market.”

Many women were never warned about the risks. Donna Miser told Drugwatch she received a bladder sling for urinary incontinence and suffered complications such as discomfort during sex and knife-like pain in her vagina. When doctors examined her, the mesh had eroded and embedded itself in her urethra, bladder and vaginal walls. She had one surgery to remove the mesh and still needs to have more.

“I’ve utilized the ‘crisis line’ a couple of times … because I became suicidal,” Miser said. “When the pain hits a ’10,’ I become a whole different person. I am slowly watching my life disappear.”

If you received a vaginal mesh implant and went on to experience serious issues, you could qualify for a case. As of June 2026, attorneys are still accepting transvaginal mesh lawsuits.

If you meet these criteria, you might be able to pursue a lawsuit. There are time limits (statutes of limitations) to file a claim that vary by state. Consulting a lawyer can help you understand your legal options and file a case before time runs out.

Before talking with an attorney, you should gather documentation and evidence for your case. The more information you can provide, the easier it will be to determine your eligibility for a lawsuit.

Having these documents organized and ready will help an attorney evaluate the claim, establish a timeline of injuries and substantiate the legal case effectively. If you don’t have all of these documents or aren’t sure where to find them, don’t worry. A lawyer can help you track down what you need to build a strong case.

Is It Too Late To File? (Statute of Limitations)

Lawyers are still filing cases in 2026 on behalf of women who received transvaginal mesh implants years ago. In many states, the time limit, known as the statute of limitations, starts ticking when the patient discovers that transvaginal mesh caused her injuries and not when the mesh was implanted.

This discovery rule varies by state. Only an attorney can tell you for sure what that time limit is in your specific case. A free consultation with Drugwatch can help you learn if you still qualify. Waiting too long might bar you from filing your claim.

So far, manufacturers have paid out more than an estimated $8 billion in transvaginal mesh settlements and jury verdicts. The average mesh settlement could range from $40,000 to $450,000, depending on the severity of injuries.

Most recently, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Virginia Redding’s $2.5 million jury verdict against Coloplast in June 2024. Boston Scientific reached a confidential settlement with Regina Oesterle and her husband in December 2025. The case was originally scheduled to go to trial in 2026.

In February 2023, Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary Ethicon agreed to pay a nearly $10 million settlement to the state of Kentucky to resolve claims that the company engaged in deceptive marketing of vaginal mesh devices.

For a full breakdown of settlements by manufacturer, visit our Transvaginal Mesh Settlements page.

As of June 2026, lawyers continue to take individual transvaginal mesh lawsuits to pursue settlement or trial even after the original seven multidistrict litigations closed. Pending lawsuits continue in state courts across the country, though the exact number of cases is unknown.

According to the New York Times, settlements and verdicts awarded to injured plaintiffs totaled close to $8 billion in 2019. Since then, calculating the exact totals for settlements has been difficult because some cases have been resolved confidentially.

New Jersey Multicounty Litigation (MCL)

Since the large MDLs closed, most pelvic mesh litigation is now handled in state courts across the country. Courts in New Jersey continue to see larger groups of mesh cases.

New Jersey has two MCLs, one for Ethicon Gynecare mesh and another for Bard products. An MCL, or multicounty litigation, functions similarly to an MDL.

In April 2026, there were over 500 cases on the Ethicon docket. The judge in the Bard MCL extended discovery until June 2026.

If you were harmed by transvaginal mesh, there are five steps you can take to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries. You can contact Drugwatch for a free case review to kick off the process.

The deadline to file a transvaginal mesh lawsuit varies by state and can be as little as one year after your injury occurs.

Once you’ve worked with your surgeon to address any issues caused by transvaginal mesh, the next step is to speak with an attorney to learn about your legal options. A transvaginal mesh attorney can help identify the device used, confirm whether your case is still within the statute of limitations and gather the records needed to evaluate your claim. Lawyers are still taking cases despite the closure of the MDLs.

Look for an attorney with a background in personal injury lawsuits and product liability law. You want to find someone you feel comfortable talking to, and one with a track record of securing compensation for victims of transvaginal mesh. Some plaintiffs prefer to work with a female lawyer because these cases require communication about female anatomy and sensitive topics.

Drugwatch can help you determine if you qualify for a lawsuit. It’s easy to sign up by clicking on the case review buttons on this page.