Court ruling provides 'justice for the women and families forever scarred by J&J's dishonesty'

A judge in San Diego Superior Court has ruled that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) are to pay $344 million over pelvic mesh lawsuit.

In 2016, Kamala Harris who was California Attorney General at the time, sued J&J and its Ethicon unit for marketing its mesh devices without sufficient information about the risks associated with these medical devices.

Judge Eddie Sturgeon said during the ruling: “Complications could be so severe that mesh removal would be necessary but, unlike other implants, removal is difficult and harmful and can take multiple surgeries. J&J also knew that some of the most severe complications of mesh can be irreversible.”

California’s current attorney general, Xavier Becerra, released a statement about the decision: “J&J intentionally concealed the risks of its pelvic mesh implant devices. It robbed women and their doctors of their ability to make informed decisions about whether to permanently implant the products in patients’ bodies.

“J&J knew the danger of its mesh products but put profits ahead of the health of millions of women. Today we achieved justice for the women and families forever scarred by J&J's dishonesty.”

This judgment marks the first time a court of law has ruled that Johnson & Johnson did indeed engage in illegal false and deceptive business practices, according to Becerra’s office,

Opposing the decision, J&J have reportedly said in a statement to the New York Times that they will appeal the court ruling.

A copy of the judgement can be viewed here.