Boston Scientific must pay $73 million over implant

A Texas jury has ordered Boston Scientific, a major Minnesota employer, to pay $73 million to a woman who claimed a defectively designed vaginal-mesh implant put her in constant pain.

The Texas state court jury in Dallas awarded plaintiff Martha Salazar about $23 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.

Salazar received a mesh implant to treat minor incontinence, but the implant left her no longer able to sit, walk or exercise comfortably, said her attorney, Dave Matthews.

"Martha Salazar is relieved that someone finally listened to her issues that she'd had since implantation, because it's been a catastrophic event for her, a life-changing event for her," Matthews said. "And she finally got to tell her story."

Officials with the Massachusetts-based company say it faces more than 23,000 product liability claims related to transvaginal surgical mesh products. Plaintiffs contend the slings break down, damaging organs and causing persistent pain.

Boston Scientific, which prevailed in the first two cases to reach trial, plans to appeal the ruling.