Washington, California, Sue J&J, Ethicon for Misrepresenting Risks of Pelvic Mesh Devices

SEATTLE — Washington State has sued Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, Ethicon Inc., accusing them of misrepresenting the allegedly severe and irreversible risks of their pelvic mesh devices designed to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence.

The May 24 complaint filed by Washington Attorney General Robert W. Ferguson in the King County Superior Court says J&J and Ethicon marketed their products to doctors as a “new and revolutionary” product that would reduce time in the operating room and increase profits, without disclosing the serious complications the devices can cause. Defendants also touted the devices as improvements over …