Calif. Jury Awards Plaintiffs $79.8 Million At Conclusion of Ethicon Surgical Stapler Trial

OAKLAND, Calif. — A California jury has awarded the plaintiffs in an Ethicon surgical stapler lawsuit $79,813,000 in damages after determining that the device contained a manufacturing defect when it left defendants’ possession and that its design was a substantial factor in causing the alleged injuries.

In a Dec. 10 verdict, the primary plaintiff was awarded $4 million for past pain and suffering, $4 million for future pain and suffering, and $513,000 for past and future medical expenses. Her husband was awarded $1.3 million for past and future loss of consortium. On Dec. 14, the jury assessed Ethicon $70 million …