J&J Unit Mentor Worldwide Defeats Breast Implant Suit

Federal medical device law preempts a New York woman’s suit alleging breast implants made by Johnson & Johnson unit Mentor Worldwide LLC caused a host of health problems, a federal trial court in New York said.

Genevieve T. Webb had breast augmentation surgery with Mentor MemoryGel implants in 2016. She alleged that within two months, she developed symptoms including pain, fatigue, and autoimmine ailments.

Federal law generally blocks claims involving devices like the implants, that went through the Food and Drug Administration’s premarket approval process.

Claims based on a state-law duty that “parallels” federal requirements can survive preemption, but Webb ...