Johnson and Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) has been ordered by an Australian Court to pay three women approximately $1.7 million as compensation plus legal costs for misinformation regarding its pelvic mesh implants.
Over 1,350 women in a class-action lawsuit against JnJ
The company indicated that the Federal Court of Australia awarded the three women who were lead applicants in a class action between A$555,555 and A$1.28 million. However, other issues common to the rest of the over 1,350 women in the class action shall be determined soon. This will pave the way for the determination of payment of damages for the other litigants.
Shine Lawyers Jan Saddle, who is the lead attorney for the class action, indicated that the move by the court to award the women the amount was a huge step. However, Jan indicated that there is still a lot that needs to be done to ensure all the affected women receive compensation.
The company is accused of allegedly misinforming surgeons and patients regarding the mesh implants sold through its subsidiary Ethicon. The implants are used to correct pelvic organ prolapse and treat urinary incontinence. The company failed to provide warning in the side effects of the products and has been accused of negligence in rushing them to the market without proper testing. Patients indicated that they experienced severe bleeding chronic pain, as well as a lot of discomfort during sex after getting the mesh implanted.
Johnson and Johnson facing similar lawsuits in Europe, the US and Canada
Johnson and Johnson have been facing a series of lawsuits, and they have similar suits in Canada, the US, and Europe. In October last year, the company agreed to settle around $117 million to resolve cases in 41 states in the US, including the District of Columbia.
A statement from the company indicated that Ethicon empathized with those women who experienced setbacks in the surgical procedures to have the implants. However, it stressed that the subsidiary has acted responsibly and ethically in R&D and supply of the products.