Plaintiff Awarded $41 Million in Ethicon Pelvic Mesh Verdict

A Philadelphia jury ordered Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon to pay $41 million as part of a product liability lawsuit involving pelvic mesh defects.

The lawsuit was brought forth by plaintiff Suzanne Emmett, who began experiencing discomfort in 2007 after undergoing a Prolift pelvic mesh implant. She underwent multiple pelvic procedures using Ethicon’s vaginal mesh and suffered serious and irreversible side effects and conditions as a result. The jury awarded $25 million in punitive damages, $15 million in compensation, and $1 million to Emmett’s husband for loss of consortium.

This is not the first lawsuit against Ethicon that has ruled in favor of the plaintiff, as similar verdicts have been rendered in the past year. Nationwide, J&J is facing over 37,000 pending cases related to pelvic mesh complications.

Pelvic mesh is used to treat organ prolapses by supporting bodily tissue in the pelvis. Device complications include mesh erosion, infection, and other painful and long-lasting side effects. In Emmett’s case, the plaintiff alleged that her injuries would permanently affect her daily life.

With many cases like Mrs. Emmett’s waiting to be tried, it is important to understand your rights and what you may be entitled to. The damages sustained in pelvic mesh defective products cases can be permanent and life-altering, so if you or a loved one was injured as the result of a pelvic mesh defect, consider contacting an attorney to assess your case and pursue the compensation you deserve. Reach out to the experienced attorneys at Laborde Earles to begin your road to recovery.