W. Va. Federal Judge Consolidates Design Defect Claims for December Trial in Ethicon TVT Cases

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — The judge overseeing the Ethicon pelvic repair system multidistrict litigation has consolidated 26 actions for trial on the issues of negligent design and strict liability — design defect, ruling that consolidation is warranted because the cases involve common witnesses and identical evidence.

In the June 12 order, Judge Joseph Goodwin of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia also designated Bryant, et al. v. Ethicon Inc., et al. (No. 2:12-9311) as the lead case. Trial is scheduled for Dec. 7.

In these actions, the plaintiffs, all West Virginia residents, allege they were …