$11.1 Million Pelvic Mesh Verdict Upheld in NJ

On March 29, 2016, a New Jersey state appeals court decided to uphold the $11.1 million verdict in the pelvic mesh suit, Gross v. Ethicon. The three-judge Appellate Division panel chose to uphold the 2014 Atlantic County Superior Court decision, which awarded $3.35 million in compensatory damages to Plaintiff, Linda Gross, and $7.76 million in punitive damages to Gross and her husband. The panel determined there was substantial evidence to show that the defendant knew of the potential dangers associated with Ethicon’s Gynacare Prolift product.

Gross had initially filed suit against Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in November 2008, shortly before the FDA announced that complications concerning pelvic mesh products were being reported. Gross claimed that since receiving the pelvic mesh implant, she has had to endure an additional 20 surgeries to repair the damage it caused. Gross further alleged that had she known about the severe risks associated with the product, she would not have elected to have it implanted. 

Ethicon representatives have stated that the company is now evaluating its options going forward and that the health and safety of its customers is its utmost concern.  Thousands of women across the country have filed suit against Ethicon claiming that the Gynacare Prolift caused them serious injuries; the cases have been consolidated in the ongoing In re Pelvic Mesh/Gynecare Litigation, Case No. 291

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