W. Va. Federal Judge Makes Evidentiary Rulings in 2 Ethicon Transvaginal Mesh Cases

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — A West Virginia federal judge has ruled on several in limine motions in two cases involving the Ethicon Gynecare TVT Obturator, ruling that Ethicon may present evidence regarding failure to preserve plaintiffs’ explanted mesh and whether the device is regarded as the “gold standard” for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

In the Aug. 6 orders, Judge Joseph R. Goodwin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia further ruled that plaintiffs may present a report generated by a consulting firm retained by Ethicon which examines mesh erosion.

Plaintiffs in these cases …