Boston Scientific Must Pay $100 Million in Newest Transvaginal Mesh Suit

A Delaware jury mandated that Boston Scientific pay $100 million to a woman claiming she was injured using the Marlborough, Mass., devicemaker’s transvaginal mesh device.

The ruling was the latest in a series of woes for the company, which is facing more than 26,000 liability lawsuits claiming its Pinnacle urinary incontinence device is defective and causes complications.

The plaintiff, who was implanted with the device in 2009, says parts of the product continue to cause pain, despite the fact that she had two surgeries to try to correct the problem. The jury found Boston Scientific guilty of negligence and failing to warn patients and doctors about possible risks.

Last week’s verdict is Boston Scientific’s biggest ordered payout to date over the devices. The company announced last month that it would set aside an estimated $119 million to resolve nearly 3,000 cases involving the product.

The ruling makes this the sixth verdict involving the company, which won its first two trials. However, the devicemaker then lost in a Texas state court, ultimately costing the company $34 million, as well as in two federal trials, in West Virginia and Miami, and was ordered to pay $18.5 million and $26.7 million, respectively.

Six other companies, including J&J’s Ethicon subsidiary and C.R. Bard Inc., are facing legal action over the product. Boston Scientific has repeatedly said it does not acknowledge any liability or wrongdoing. — Jason Scott