A jury in Atlantic City, New Jersey has told Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon to pay $3.35 million for failing to warn, and misleading, a Sotuh dakota woman of risks associated with its Gynecare Proflift vaginal mesh implant.
The implant, marketed as shoring up pelvic muscles, has left plaintff her in constant pain and unable to sit comfortably since a 2006 surgery. The device is marketed as shoring up pelvic muscles to keep prevent or correct vaginal prolapse, a condition where a woman's reproductive organs fall into her vagina.
According to Bloomberg news, the surgeon for the plaintiff, 47-year-old nurse Linda Gross was "so gung-ho" about the effectiveness of the vaginal mesh that she had nothing to worry about. Had she known that the mesh would be difficult to remove, require multiple surgeries, and that she could be left with a life of pain, she would not have had her physicians implant the mesh.
Ms. Gross' case was the first of 2,100 similar lawsuits to go to trial against J&J and Ethicon over vaginal mesh.
According to Bloomberg: "Jurors, ruling after five days of deliberations, awarded Gross $1.1 million for her pain and suffering; $180,000 for lost wages; $500,000 for future lost wages; $385,000 for past medical treatment; $1 million for future medical treatment; and $180,000 for her husband’s loss of companionship and conjugal affections."
Superior Court Judge carol Higbee is now considering whetehr to award punative damages to punish the J&J and Ethicon for willful and wanton behavior.
Sheller P.C. is currently investigating vaginal mesh claims. If you or anyone you know has suffered vaginal injury or pelvic pain after vaginal mesh surgery, please contact us at (800) 883-2299 to discuss your legal rights.
You may also visit us online at www.sheller.com.
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