New Wave of Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson Victims Sue for Mesh Implant Failures

Women implanted with defective mesh implants post 4 July, 2017 have joined a new class action for compensation. 

A second class action against Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson has been filed in the Federal Court today by leading class action law firm, Shine Lawyers. This new action is being brought by women who were implanted with defective mesh products after 4 July 2017. 

On 4 July 2017, the trial for Australia's largest product liability class action against Johnson & Johnson began in Sydney. Shine Lawyers brought the class action against Johnson & Johnson for its vaginal mesh implants, which have left thousands of women with painful and life altering complications. 

The Court ordered that this date marked the cut off for entry into the first class action against Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon. 

Rebecca Jancauskas, the class actions Practice Leader behind all four mesh class actions (JJ & Ethicon, AMS, Boston Scientific, and the post 4 July 2017 class) said “women excluded from the first action understandably felt distressed that their suffering would not be recognised and they would not be eligible for compensation. 

“We know there are thousands of women who were implanted with these defective products or who have developed complications after this date, that’s why we’ve continued to fight for justice for these women, so none are left behind.” 

At this stage, hundreds of women who registered their interest in the first class action have been identified as potentially eligible group members in the new post 4 July 2017 proceedings. 

Known Symptoms of faulty mesh 

Women implanted with the pelvic floor repair systems may have experienced symptoms of complications such as chronic pain, painful intercourse and incontinence. 

“These defective mesh products have eroded in some women’s bodies, moving through tissue and penetrating or sticking to organs, causing debilitating chronic pain,” 

“We have seen first-hand the terrible impact these products can have on women’s lives and this drives our team to pursue all available avenues to seek reparations for these women,” said Ms. Jancauskas. 

How to seek compensation 

We’re urging any women who were implanted with Johnson & Johnson mesh implants since 4 July 2017, or who first suffered complications after this date to come forward. 

Women interested in registering should email prolapse@shine.com.au. 

About the previous Ethicon/Johnson & Johnson class action:

• A massive class action was brought by Shine Lawyers on behalf of more than 10,000 women in the Federal Court against Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Sárl and Ethicon, Inc. with the trial running for seven months from July 2017. 

• The class action was successful in November 2019, the matter was appealed by Johnson & Johnson & Ethicon but the Full Court of the Federal Court dismissed the appeal on Friday 5 March 2021 in favour of Shine’s case. 

• Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Sárl and Ethicon, Inc. have sought special leave to appeal the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court to the High Court. The High Court must grant special leave before it hears any appeal. 

• Shine Lawyers is funding all four of its mesh-related class actions.