Johnson and Johnson’s Ethicon has been the slowest transvaginal mesh device manufacturer to offer settlement. Perhaps one reason for the slow response from this manufacturer deals with the fact that they face the highest number of federal lawsuits. The company likely wants to dispose of unworthy claims before offering a settlement. Despite this, the company in 2015 settled 4 lawsuits for an undisclosed amount.
In some cases, juries have awarded millions of dollars to women injured by Ethicon’s mesh devices.
In September 2014, a jury decided against the company and awarded Jo Husky $3.2 million. The jury found that Ethicon’s Gynecare TVT mesh caused Husky permanent injuries and the company failed to warn her of the possible risks.
A jury in New Jersey awarded a woman $11 million for damages she received from Ethicon’s Gynecare Prolift. Another woman also won $1.2 million in a Texas court against Johnson and Johnson.
Other transvaginal mesh device makers, such as C.R. Bard, have also been hit with unfavorable jury verdicts. In 2013, a jury returned a verdict of $2 million against C.R. Bard. In this lawsuit, the jury was convinced that the mesh device maker did not adequately test its Avaulta implant in humans or use reasonable are in designing the implant. The jury also found the company caused the plaintiff’s injuries by failing to warn her doctor about Avaulta’s risks.
Other companies that have been hit with unfavorable jury verdicts include American Medical System, Boston Scientific, and Coloplast.
If you or a loved was injured by a mesh device, contact our office immediately. Our office handles mesh device lawsuits from across the country.