Senator Manning introduces Senate Bill 233 to address hernia mesh treatment claims

The Oregon House Committee on Judiciary convened on May 19, 2025, to discuss Senate Bill 233A, which addresses legal claims related to hernia mesh surgeries. The bill allows individuals to file a lawsuit within one year of its effective date for claims connected to medical or surgical treatment involving hernia mesh removal that occurred in February 2018.

Senator James Ivory Manning Jr., who introduced the bill, emphasized its importance for constituents who have faced challenges due to the statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims. He noted that the bill is specifically designed to assist individuals like his constituent, Jim Evangelistic, who experienced complications from a medical procedure but found that the time to take legal action had expired.

The measure is characterized as having minimal fiscal impact and no revenue implications. It received strong support in the Senate, passing with 25 votes in favor and 4 against. The bill also includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon passage.

During the meeting, committee members discussed the necessity of the bill, highlighting the difficulties individuals face when complications from medical procedures arise after the standard time limits for filing claims have passed. The committee's focus on this legislation reflects ongoing concerns about patient rights and access to justice in medical malpractice cases.

As the committee continues to review the bill, its implications for patients and healthcare providers in Oregon remain a critical topic of discussion.