Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit 2026: Status and Who May File

Last updated: October 2026

Transvaginal mesh lawsuits are still possible in 2026, but the litigation looks very different than it did a decade ago. The large federal mesh MDLs are no longer on the court’s list of pending cases, and the FDA stopped the sale of transvaginal mesh for pelvic organ prolapse in 2019. Women with mesh complications may still have options, depending on their device, their injuries and their state’s filing deadlines. Whether your surgery was recent or many years ago, the steps below can help you gather what a transvaginal mesh lawsuit review usually needs and avoid common mistakes.

This guide explains where the transvaginal mesh lawsuit stands today, what the FDA has done, and who may still want a claim reviewed.

What is transvaginal mesh?

Surgical mesh is a net-like material used to support weak or damaged tissue. In women, it has been used to treat two common pelvic floor conditions:

• Pelvic organ prolapse (POP): when the bladder, uterus or rectum drops and presses into the vagina
• Stress urinary incontinence (SUI): leaking urine when coughing, sneezing or exercising

When mesh is placed through the vagina, it is called transvaginal mesh. According to the FDA’s overview of urogynecologic mesh, most of these products are made of synthetic material, and non-absorbable mesh stays in the body permanently.

The FDA’s actions on transvaginal mesh

The FDA took a series of steps over about ten years. Its timeline of mesh activities includes:

• 2008: A public health notice about serious complications from transvaginal mesh
• 2011: An updated safety communication about complications with transvaginal mesh for POP
• 2012: Orders requiring manufacturers to run post-market safety studies
• January 2016: Transvaginal mesh for POP reclassified as a high-risk (Class III) device
• April 16, 2019: The FDA ordered the remaining makers, Boston Scientific and Coloplast, to stop selling transvaginal mesh for POP repair

Today, transvaginal mesh for POP is no longer sold in the U.S. Mesh slings for stress urinary incontinence and mesh placed through the abdomen for POP remain on the market.

Common transvaginal mesh complications

The FDA advises women with mesh to watch for persistent vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic or groin pain, and pain with sex. Other problems reported by women and in lawsuits include:

• Mesh wearing through the vaginal wall, often called erosion or exposure
• Infection
• Urinary problems, including new or returning leakage
• Scar tissue and shrinking of the mesh
• Pain for a partner during sex
• The need for one or more surgeries to remove or revise the mesh

Mesh removal can be difficult, and some women need more than one surgery. If you have symptoms, the FDA recommends telling your health care provider. The FDA also says there is no need to take extra action if you are satisfied with your surgery and have no symptoms.

Transvaginal mesh lawsuit status in 2026

Tens of thousands of mesh cases were once grouped into seven federal multidistrict litigations in West Virginia. Those cases have largely been resolved through settlements, trials and dismissals. The JPML’s September 2026 list of pending MDLs no longer includes any of them.

States have also taken action. In March 2021, 47 states and the District of Columbia reached a $188.6 million settlement with Boston Scientific. The states alleged the company misrepresented the safety of its transvaginal mesh and failed to disclose risks like chronic pain and new incontinence. That money went to the states, not to individual patients.

Some individual cases continue in state and federal courts. New claims are still reviewed, but they depend heavily on the facts and timing.

Who may still have a transvaginal mesh claim

Because the big settlement programs have closed, new claims tend to be reviewed one by one. A participating law firm may look at:

• The device: which company made your mesh and what it was used for
• Your injuries: erosion, chronic pain, infection, organ damage or other complications
• Your treatment: revision or removal surgeries, therapy and ongoing care
• When you learned of the problem: this can affect your filing deadline
• Whether you had a prior claim: some women already resolved claims through earlier settlements

Filing deadlines vary by state and claim type. In many states, the clock starts when you knew, or should have known, that the mesh may have caused your injury. Some women only learn this years after surgery, when a new doctor finds the problem.

Steps to take if you have mesh problems

Whether or not you pursue a claim, these steps can protect your health and your options:

• See a doctor. A urogynecologist or pelvic surgeon can evaluate mesh complications.
• Get your records. Ask for the operative report that names your mesh product.
• Keep a symptom log. Note pain, bleeding, urinary issues and how they affect your life.
• Save removed mesh. If you have revision surgery, ask whether the removed mesh can be preserved.
• Report the problem. You can tell the FDA through MedWatch.

It is also okay to take this one step at a time. Mesh complications can affect intimacy, work and emotional health. Talking with your doctor about pain management and support can help.

What to expect from a mesh case review

Many women put off asking about a claim because the topic feels personal. A case review is private, and you control how much you share. Here is what it generally involves:

• Basic questions about when you had surgery, what it was for and what problems followed
• Device details, if you know them, such as the maker or product name
• Treatment history, including any removal or revision surgeries
• Timing, so the firm can look at which deadlines may apply

You do not need every record to start. If a participating firm wants to move forward, it can help request your records with your permission. You can ask questions at any point, and you decide whether to go ahead.

How to Find Out Which Mesh Product You Have

Many women do not know the brand or type of mesh they received. That is common, especially if surgery was years ago. Knowing the product is one of the first things a law firm checks in a transvaginal mesh lawsuit review.

Start with the operative report

The operative report is the surgeon’s written summary of the procedure. It usually lists the type of repair and often names the mesh product. You can ask the hospital or surgery center where you had the procedure for a copy.

Look for implant or device records

Hospitals often keep a record of implanted devices, sometimes with a sticker or label from the package. Ask the medical records office whether your file includes an implant log or device information. This may show the maker, product name and lot number.

Check other sources

• Your surgeon’s office notes from before and after surgery.
• Discharge papers you received when you left the hospital.
• Insurance statements that list the procedure and date.
• Records from any later revision or removal surgery.

Tell your other doctors

The FDA advises patients to let their health care provider know if they have surgical mesh, especially before another surgery or medical procedure. Keeping a copy of your device details in your wallet or phone can make this easier.

If you cannot find the product name

Do not give up. Records may be stored off-site or under an old system. A participating law firm may be able to request records for you with your permission. Even without the brand, a firm can still discuss your symptoms and timeline.

Keep a simple device and treatment timeline

Once you know your product, put the key facts on one page. A timeline helps your doctors, and it is often the first thing reviewed in a transvaginal mesh lawsuit. Include:

• The date and place of your mesh surgery, and the surgeon’s name.
• The product name and maker, if known.
• When symptoms started and how they changed over time.
• Each visit, test or surgery related to the mesh.
• When a doctor first told you the mesh might be causing problems.

That last date can matter a great deal, because it may affect the deadline for a transvaginal mesh lawsuit in your state.

Living With Mesh: Questions to Ask Your Doctor

You do not need to be part of a transvaginal mesh lawsuit to get good care. The FDA says women with mesh should continue with annual and other routine check-ups. It also advises telling your provider about complications such as persistent vaginal bleeding or discharge, pelvic or groin pain, or pain with sex.

Questions you may want to ask

• Is my mesh in the right place, and is there any sign of erosion or exposure?
• What tests or exams would help explain my symptoms?
• Could my pain or bladder problems be related to the mesh, or to something else?
• What are my options for treating symptoms without surgery?
• If removal is recommended, would it be full or partial, and what are the risks?
• Do you have experience with mesh revision or removal, or can you refer me to someone who does?
• What recovery should I expect, and what support is available?

Mesh slings for incontinence

If your mesh was a sling for stress urinary incontinence, the same steps apply. Slings are still sold in the U.S., but complications from a sling can still be reviewed. Note whether your sling was placed through the vagina and whether you later needed it cut, adjusted or removed. A firm can explain whether a sling injury may fit a transvaginal mesh lawsuit or a different kind of product claim.

Taking notes at appointments

Medical visits can feel rushed. Bring a written list of questions and take notes, or ask a trusted person to come with you. Ask for copies of test results and visit summaries. These records support your care, and they may also matter if you later decide to pursue a transvaginal mesh lawsuit.

When symptoms appear years later

Some women have no trouble for years and then notice new pain, bleeding or urinary changes. Others had symptoms that were blamed on something else. If a new doctor links your problems to mesh, write down the date and keep the visit notes. A late discovery does not by itself rule out a transvaginal mesh lawsuit, but timing rules differ by state.

Caring for your emotional health

Mesh problems can affect intimacy, sleep, work and self-image. It is normal to feel frustrated or sad, especially if symptoms have lasted years. A counselor, pelvic floor physical therapist or support group may help you cope while you sort out medical and legal questions.

How a Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit Works Today, Step by Step

With the large federal MDLs no longer pending, new claims are usually handled one at a time. That changes how a transvaginal mesh lawsuit moves forward. Here is a general picture.

Step 1: Case review

A participating law firm asks about your surgery, symptoms and treatment. It may also ask whether you were part of an earlier settlement program, since that can affect whether a new claim is possible.

Step 2: Records collection

The firm gathers your operative reports, device records and later treatment records. This step can take a few months, depending on how quickly hospitals respond.

Step 3: Medical review

Many firms ask doctors to review the records. They look at whether your injuries may be linked to the mesh and how serious they are. This helps the firm decide whether a claim may be supported.

Step 4: Filing, if appropriate

If the firm and you decide to move forward, a complaint is filed in state or federal court before the deadline runs out. Deadlines vary by state and claim type, and some states also have rules that limit claims based on how long ago a product was sold or implanted.

Step 5: Discovery and resolution

Both sides exchange information and may take sworn testimony. Many product cases settle, and some go to trial. No one can promise an outcome or amount in a transvaginal mesh lawsuit.

How long it may take

Individual product cases often take a year or more, and some take several years. Records requests, medical reviews and court schedules all affect timing. A firm can give you a rough idea based on where a transvaginal mesh lawsuit would be filed.

Questions to ask a law firm

• Do you think my device and injuries fit the kinds of claims you review?
• Does my earlier settlement, if I had one, affect what I can do now?
• Which state’s deadline applies, and when might it run out?
• Will you request my records, and how long might that take?
• How are fees and case costs handled if there is no recovery?
• How will you keep my medical information private?

Asking these questions early can help you understand whether a transvaginal mesh lawsuit makes sense for you before you commit to anything.

Common Mistakes and a Short Glossary

A few simple missteps can make a claim harder to review. Knowing them ahead of time can help you protect your options.

Mistakes to avoid

• **Waiting too long to ask.** Filing deadlines may start when you learned the mesh could be causing your problems.
• **Assuming it is too late because the MDLs closed.** A transvaginal mesh lawsuit may still be possible for some women, depending on the facts.
• **Not asking about removed mesh.** If you have revision surgery, ask whether the removed material can be preserved.
• **Losing track of records.** Keep copies of operative reports, imaging and visit summaries in one folder.
• **Forgetting a prior claim.** If you signed papers in an earlier settlement, tell the law firm. It may affect your options.

Terms you may hear

• **Erosion or exposure:** when mesh wears through the vaginal wall or nearby tissue.
• **Revision surgery:** an operation to fix or partly remove mesh.
• **Explant:** removal of a medical device from the body.
• **Product liability:** an area of law about injuries caused by products.
• **Failure to warn:** a claim that a company did not give adequate warnings about risks.
• **Design defect:** a claim that a product’s design made it unreasonably dangerous.
• **MDL:** multidistrict litigation, where many similar federal cases are grouped before one judge.
• **Bellwether trial:** an early test trial used to show how juries may view similar cases.

Understanding these terms can make a case review less confusing. A participating law firm can explain how each one may apply to a transvaginal mesh lawsuit based on your own history.

Frequently asked questions

How Direct2Attorney can help

If you have complications from transvaginal mesh, Direct2Attorney can connect you with a participating law firm for a free review of your situation. Visit our transvaginal mesh lawsuit page to learn more. If you had a different type of mesh repair, see our hernia mesh lawsuit page.

A transvaginal mesh lawsuit may still be possible for some women in 2026. A free review can help you understand where you stand.

Direct2Attorney is a legal marketing and referral service, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship.