$500K Verdict Against J&J in Pelvic Mesh Lawsuit

$500K Verdict Against J&J in Pelvic Mesh Lawsuit

Introduction

A plaintiff was awarded $500,000 in damages by the Philadelphia jury in the verdict against Johnson & Johnson’s unit Ethicon on June 28, after finding that the design defects in a pelvic mesh implant left the plaintiff suffering from pain.

The plaintiff was implanted with the mesh device in 2007 to assist with a condition known as pelvic organ prolapse. In 2009, the plaintiff’s doctor found that the mesh was eroding the vaginal wall. The first instance of erosion healed on its own. Later in 2015, a severe erosion occurred which resulted in an operation, where most of the implant was removed. The plaintiff claimed that till date, she experiences complications related to mesh implant and removal.

The plaintiff's attorney stated that it is the ninth time in these vaginal mesh cases that Johnson & Johnson has been found to have acted wrongfully. The plaintiff becomes the 11th woman to bring mesh-related claims against Johnson and Johnson subsidiary Ethicon to trial in Philadelphia court. Ethicon stated that they disagree with the jury’s verdict and plans to appeal.

U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin is presiding overall Ethicon pelvic mesh lawsuits consolidated under multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2327; In Re: Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation) in the Southern District of West Virginia.