Calif. Ethicon Abbrevo Transvaginal Mesh Trial Ends in $5.7 Million Verdict for Plaintiff

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A California jury has awarded a transvaginal mesh plaintiff $5.7 million in compensatory and punitive damages on her claims that Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon Inc. hid the risks associated with their Gynecare TVT Abbrevo Sling System.

After deliberating for four days, the jury, sitting in the Kern County Superior Court, awarded plaintiff Colleen Perry $700,000 in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The trial began on Jan. 26, with Judge Lorna Brumfield presiding.

The jury by a 9-3 split found the Abbrevo device was defectively designed, and 10-2 found defendants failed to warn Perry's …