Australia’s federal court on Thursday ruled in favour of hundreds of women who suffered severe pain from a vaginal mesh implant, in a landmark class-action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson.
The 7-year-old case in Australia has been closely followed around the world as the pharmaceutical giant faces similar lawsuits in Europe, the Middle East and the US, claiming it deliberately hid the risks of the pelvic mesh product that was implanted in some women following childbirth
Federal Judge Anna Katzmann in Sydney said that “overwhelming” evidence showed the creator of the device was “negligent” and misled both surgeons and patients.
Victims embrase after the ruling was announced in a transvaginal mesh device class action, outside the Federal Court in Sydney, Australia, 21 November 2019. A class action against companies owned by Johnson & Johnson by more than 700 women was won on 21 November 2019. EPA-EFE/JOEL CARRETT
More than 1,350 women joined the class-action lawsuit — one of Australia’s biggest — against medical device creator Ethicon, which is owned by the US-based Johnson & Johnson.
Many of the women who were given the device to treat post-childbirth pelvic collapse or incontinence suffered debilitating pain, bleeding, infections, an inability to have sex, and organ slippage. The device is difficult to remove.
Ethicon said it is reviewing the court decision and will consider its options for appeal
