According to reports, pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) agreed to settle more than 100 transvaginal mesh lawsuits in which female plaintiffs claim the devices caused severe and permanent injuries. The settlement amount is undisclosed, but J&J has requested that a trust be established to handle the settlements.
According to court documents, the company settled other similar cases in 2014.
J&J is not the only drug company being sued over alleged injuries linked to transvaginal mesh products. In fact, Reuters reported at the beginning of the month, that U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin in Charleston, West Virginia urged J&J and other transvaginal mesh device makers to resolve the tens of thousands of lawsuits that have been brought against them.
More than 70,000 transvaginal mesh lawsuits against seven defendant companies have been consolidated before Goodwin. Other defendants include Boston Scientific Corp and C.R. Bard. This is one of the biggest U.S. mass torts to date.
Even though it would take years and millions of dollars to try the cases, Goodwin said if settlements aren’t reached, he would send them to trial as fast as possible.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuits claim permanent injuries such as bleeding, painful infections and more.
