The first bellwether trial in the multidistrict litigation over the Ethicon vaginal mesh pelvic repair system is slated to open next Monday in the Southern District of West Virginia.

U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin, reversing himself, ruled Feb. 3 that the plaintiffs will have to establish a safer alternative design in order to show that Ethicon is strictly liable for alleged design defects in a product that addresses female pelvic prolapse.