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 The suit is one of many J&J has faced in the United States, Canada
and Europe over the implants, used to treat urinary incontinence and
pelvic organ prolapse, in which organs shift from normal positions.
J&J in October agreed to pay nearly $117 million to resolve claims
in 41 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Australia's Federal Court found that J&J subsidiary Ethicon had sold
the devices without warning women about the "gravity of the risks",
and was negligent in rushing the products to market before proper
testing. The judge in the case, Anna Katzmann, has set February for
the next hearing in the case, where damages will be discussed.
Ethicon said it was reviewing the court's decision and would
consider its options to appeal.
"Ethicon believes that the company acted ethically and responsibly
in the research, development and supply of these products," the
company said in a statement.
Judge Katzmann ruled that much of the information the company
provided about the devices was "inaccurate" and at times made "false
representations".
"The question is whether this conduct considered as a whole was
misleading or likely to mislead. I believe it was," Katzmann said in
her judgment.
"The post-market evaluation of all the Ethicon devices was
deficient," she said. "It fell well below the level of care required
of a reasonably prudent manufacturer."
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"The risks were known, not insignificant and on Ethicon's own
admission, serious harm could ensue if they eventuated," the judge
said in her ruling.
Patients said they had suffered chronic pain, bleeding and severe
discomfort during sexual intercourse after having the mesh
surgically implanted.
Dozens of women involved in the class action welcomed the court's
decision.
Julie Davis, the original claimant in the case, said she was
"incredibly pleased" with the judgment but said it would not take
away the pain and damage done to women.
"They have treated women essentially like guinea pigs, lied about it
and done nothing to help," she told reporters at a televised media
conference outside the court in Sydney.
(Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
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