A New Jersey state appeals court has upheld an $11.1 million damages verdict against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ethicon Inc. in the first bellwether trial over allegedly harmful pelvic mesh implants.

The three-judge Appellate Division panel said March 29 that it saw no reason to overturn the award of $3.35 million in compensatory damages and $7.76 million in punitive damages awarded to the plaintiff and her husband, Linda and Jeffrey Gross.