HOUSTON — A breast cancer patient is suing Johnson & Johnson and others after her breast tissue expanders failed less than six weeks after her mastectomy and reconstruction.
Jennifer Totten filed a complaint July 26 in Harris County District Court against Mentor Texas LP, individually and doing business as Mentor Texas Operations LP, Johnson & Johnson and others alleging negligence and other claims.
Totten was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in February of 2019, according to her complaint. She alleges that on Aug. 1, 2019, she underwent a skin-sparing double mastectomy that included the implantation of two CPX4 Smooth Breast Tissue Expanders with Suture Tabs and on Aug. 21 and Aug. 28, received saline injections in each of the expanders.
Totten claims that on Aug. 30, 2019, she noticed one of the breasts had grown smaller, flatter and noticed "fluid displacement in the area." She further claims that on Sept. 3, 2019, it was discovered that her left tissue expander had leaked and deflated and on Sept. 9, 2019, underwent surgery to remove and replace the left side tissue expanders and a tear in the expander was found. Two days later, according to her suit, her other breast tissue expander failed and had to undergo another surgery on Sept. 16, 2019, to remove and replace the expander which also had a visible tear.
Totten seeks monetary relief between $200,000 and $1 million, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Charles Houssier, III, Bryan Acklin and Randal Kauffman of Houssiere, Durant 7 Houssiere LLP in Houston.
Harris County District Court case number 2021-45009