Boost for Scots campaigners
Marion Scott A mesh patient in the US has been awarded almost £3million after a two-week trial.
Jo Huskey of Charleston, South Carolina, was awarded damages on Friday after claiming the TVT- O device, implanted three years ago, caused pain and suffering.
The TVT-O, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson firm Ethicon, was the device most used on Scottish women.
The US jury awarded £ 2.5million for disability, pain, suffering and anguish.
Jo’s husband Allen was awarded £175,000 for the loss of relationship with her.
In April, a Dallas jury awarded Linda Batiste almost £1million over her TVT-O and ruled the polypropylene sling, used to treat incontinence, was poorly designed.
Last February, South Dakota nurse Linda Gross, 52, was awarded £ 7million over her mesh injuries. Around 70,000 cases are expected in the US.
Matthew Johnson, director of commu nications at Ethicon Inc said: “The verdict is disappointing and we believe we have strong grounds for appeal.
“Ethicon’s TVT- O midurethral sling was properly designed and Ethicon acted appropriately and responsibly in the research, development andmarketingoftheproduct. We have always made patient safety a top priority and will continue to do so.”
Scottish Mesh Survivor campaigner Elaine Holmes, f rom New ton Mea r ns, Glasgow, said: “This ruling is of huge significance because so many women in Scotland were fitted with this device.”
The victims’ plight led to Scots mesh operations being suspended pending a safety review following a Sunday Mail campaign.
More than 400 people are suing mesh manufacturers and the NHS in Scotland.