In April of 2018, an Indiana jury found Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, liable to Barbara Kaiser, an Indiana native, for injuries sustained after Barbara was implanted with the Prolift transvaginal mesh, a product of Johnson & Johnson, and experienced severe discomfort, pain, and injuries. Aside from such discomfort and pain, she specifically experienced “permanent injury that required corrective surgery after her doctor implanted her” with the transvaginal mesh.
A transvaginal mesh, or pelvic mesh, is an implant used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in women.
The jury found Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon to be negligent in the design and marketing (misleading the general public about the risks involved) of the pelvic mesh and found them liable for $10 million in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages. An Indiana federal judge brought down the punitive damages amount to $10 million. Barbara Kaiser will receive $20 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Barbara, and her husband Anton, sought the expert legal help of Thomas O. Plouff, (Of Counsel to Costello, McMahon, Burke & Murphy, LTD, Chicago) Plouff stated:
Ethicon defended an indefensible product and the jury stood up for Barb Kaiser. We thank them for their service. We are thrilled to help a remarkable woman who suffered at the hands of a corporation who put profits over patient safety.
