A jury verdict has come in for the first transvaginal mesh case to go to trial.
The New Jersey jury awarded plaintiff Linda Gross $3.35 million in compensatory damages and then added an additional $7.76 million in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson.
Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary company Ethicon manufactures a vaginal mesh product called Proift. Prolift was implanted in the plaintiff to help prevent pelvic organ prolapse, which can occur when pelvic muscles become weak. It was meant to reinforce the muscles, but instead led to 18 operations for the South Dakota nurse.
Transvaginal mesh injuries have been well documented - 1800 cases and counting are pending in New Jersey alone.
The injuries can be severe, causing prolonged and dangerous bleeding, extreme pain, and a hindrance to daily life. Women have reported incontinence issues and damage to the bowels, inability to have sex because of the pain, and even pain severe enough to prevent walking.
As in Gross's case, the injuries can also lead to numerous operations as doctors attempt to remove the mesh, which is manufactured to be implanted permanently.
The punitive damages awarded reflect a belief from the jury that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn doctors adequately about the risks involved with vaginal mesh.
Johnson & Johnson claims they will appeal the decision vigorously. That should come as no surprise, since the high verdict for one patient will likely have an effect on thousands of cases like it.
If you have a transvaginal mesh injury, we can help. Contact our attorneys as soon as possible to discuss your case for free.