Thornton Law Firm Blog

J&J’s Ethicon To Pay $2.16 Million In Pelvic Mesh Verdict

J&J’s Ethicon To Pay $2.16 Million In Pelvic Mesh Verdict

A Pennsylvania state court jury awarded $2.16 million in damages to a woman with an Ethicon ProLift +M Pelvic Floor Repair System which eroded inside her body and cannot be removed. This is the fourth consecutive win for plaintiffs in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and the fourth multi-million dollar award against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon. It is the first time punitive damages were not awarded.

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CDC:  U.S. Mesothelioma Deaths Continue to Rise

CDC: U.S. Mesothelioma Deaths Continue to Rise

Mesothelioma is a type of malignant cancer that affects the thin lining of the body’s internal organs. It has been known for decades that mesothelioma is the direct result of exposure to asbestos. In response, the federal government banned many asbestos-containing products, although even today many asbestos products are still sold legally, and workers are still exposed in older structures that contain asbestos. Sadly, mesothelioma deaths continue to rise across the United States.

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When Is a General Contractor Liable for Construction Jobsite Injuries?

When Is a General Contractor Liable for Construction Jobsite Injuries?

Construction accidents often present the most complicated type of personal injury claims. It is not always easy to figure out who is liable for jobsite injuries. Many large construction projects involve multiple contractors and subcontractors, each of whom may claim they are not at fault. A recent case at UMass-Amherst presents issues of general contractor and subcontractor liability.

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J&J Hit With $110 Million Verdict in Talc Ovarian Cancer Case

J&J Hit With $110 Million Verdict in Talc Ovarian Cancer Case

In the latest win for women claiming Johnson and Johnson’s talcum powder caused their ovarian cancers, a jury has awarded $110 million to a woman who developed ovarian cancer after four decades of using J&J’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder. The jury found that Johnson & Johnson ignored decades of scientific research linking talcum powder use with ovarian cancer, and failed to warn consumers of the risk.

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J&J Ordered to Pay $20 Million to Victim of Defective Pelvic Mesh

J&J Ordered to Pay $20 Million to Victim of Defective Pelvic Mesh

A jury has returned a verdict of $20,000,000 for a New Jersey woman who has been in constant pain since receiving a vaginal mesh implant made by Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon unit. The jury awarded $2.5 million in compensatory damages for pain, suffering, and economic loss, and $17.5 million in punitive damages to punish J&J and Ethicon for failing to warn about the risks of mesh implants.

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FDA Announces Voluntary Recall of Defective EpiPens

FDA Announces Voluntary Recall of Defective EpiPens

On March 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Mylan’s voluntary recall of the popular EpiPen brand of auto-injector medical device used to treat patients with severe allergies. This announcement came nearly two weeks after a similar recall was issued for the same devices in seven other countries. The recalls were a direct response to consumer complaints that the devices failed to operate as marketed.

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FDA Backs Xarelto Despite Flawed Clinical Trial

FDA Backs Xarelto Despite Flawed Clinical Trial

Recently, issues were raised concerning the results of a clinical trial for the blood thinning drug Xarelto. It was discovered that a medical device used during the study was faulty and was later recalled. The effect this may have had on the study is especially concerning as more than 13 million prescriptions have been written for the drug nationwide.

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FDA Approves New Morcellator Device Despite Cancer Concerns

FDA Approves New Morcellator Device Despite Cancer Concerns

In 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a statement discouraging the use of power morcellators during procedures to remove uterine fibroids. As a result, many morcellator sellers ceased manufacturing the devices and their use has drastically declined. However, Olympus America Inc. recently launched a new bladeless morcellator that is meant to prevent the inadvertent spreading of cancerous cells. Despite these changes, the FDA required the company to include a warning on the device’s label explaining that the instrument has not been proven to reduce the risk of spreading cancer.

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Recent Developments in Mesothelioma Treatment

Recent Developments in Mesothelioma Treatment

During the first part of the twentieth century, many construction companies began using carcinogenic asbestos fibers in their building materials, including drywall, insulation, and ceiling tiles. Unfortunately, it was several decades before the general public discovered the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, an aggressive and often deadly form of cancer. Although companies have since discontinued using almost all materials that contain asbestos, many individuals continue to suffer from this illness as a result of asbestos exposure. Fortunately, in the last ten years, doctors have made great strides in treating mesothelioma.

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