A New Jersey jury today levied punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon, Inc. in the amount of $7.8 million for misleading doctors and consumers about the safety of transvaginal mesh implants. Earlier in the week, Linda Gross, a 47-year old former hospice nurse from South Dakota had been awarded compensatory damages in the amount of $3.35 million.
The verdict is the first to be issued in thousands of cases now pending in New Jersey against Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon.
As explained previously by Audet and Partners, LLP at its website dedicated to transvaginal mesh issues (www.vaginalmeshlaws.com), Ethicon's transvaginal mesh implant, Gynecare Prolift, was withdrawn from the U.S. market last year after having been widely administered to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Ms. Gross had initially been treated for pelvic organ prolapse in 2008. Following her implant, Ms. Gross required eighteen revision surgeries to remedy problems attributable her vaginal mesh implant.
Transvaginal mesh had been developed and marketed as a viable alternative to hysterectomies or other approaches to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Transvaginal mesh is composed of a porous material secured to ligaments or bone to serve as a sling to lift and support the prolapsed organ.
For more information on today's verdict, or to learn more about problems associated with transvaginal mesh, contact Audet and Partners, LLP at (800) 965-1461 or visit http://www.vaginalmeshlaws.com online.
