Beshear files lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson over surgical mesh

Attorney General Andy Beshear announced on Tuesday a civil lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and its medical device unit, Ethicon. The lawsuit claims the company used deceptive marketing for its surgical transvaginal mesh.

Transvaginal mesh is a net-like implant used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence in women. The product design and implantation technique can cause serious complications, such as erosion and organ perforation.

In Kentucky, more than 15,000 women had transvaginal mesh implanted without Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon providing sufficient information about the known hazards so women and their doctors could make informed treatment decisions, according to the lawsuit.

“The way this company clearly chose profits over people is outrageous,” Beshear said. “My office has talked to victims whose lives have been devastated by this company’s deceitful practices. We may not be able to give them back the lives they once had, but my office will do everything we can to hold this company accountable.”

The lawsuit seeks millions of dollars in civil penalties under Kentucky’s Consumer Protection Act. While the lawsuit doesn’t seek restitution for individuals, Beshear is asking women not already represented in litigation to contact his office at 502-696-5389.