Hernia Mesh Lawsuits: Latest Updates, Who Qualifies and How To File
Thousands of hernia mesh lawsuits are active, with patients saying that faulty implants led to serious problems, chronic pain and additional surgeries. Bard settled thousands of lawsuits in 2024, but cases against Covidien, Atrium and other companies are still ongoing.
People often file hernia mesh lawsuits after facing serious problems like infection, mesh movement, bowel blockage, organ damage, ongoing pain or revision surgery. If you experienced major issues after a hernia repair, you may qualify for a claim.
As of June 2026, there are 26,153 hernia mesh lawsuits pending in federal courts. Bard’s parent company settled confidentially in 2024, but cases involving three other hernia mesh brands are still underway.
Hernia mesh is a medical implant that looks like a screen. It’s used in hernia repair surgery to help support weakened tissue and lower the risk of recurrence. It’s usually made from synthetic materials or processed animal tissue. Some meshes stay in the body permanently, while others slowly dissolve as new tissue grows. While these implants may help people recover, they can also lead to major complications when things go wrong.
Latest Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Updates
Thousands of hernia mesh lawsuits are working their way through multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceedings. These special court actions group similar cases into a single federal court for efficiency, while each person’s claim remains separate.
June 2026 Lawsuit Counts
As of June 2026, the four main MDLs together had 26,153 pending cases. Bard accounts for most of them, while Covidien is moving toward its first bellwether trial.
| Atrium | MDL 2753 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire | 172 | Active but much smaller than Bard. |
| Bard | MDL 2846 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio | 23,573 | Largest docket; many claims have been resolved through settlement activity. |
| Covidien | MDL 3029 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts | 2,408 | Ongoing, with cases still moving toward trial. |
| Ethicon | MDL 2782 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia | 0 | Effectively resolved, with no pending cases listed in this count. However, the MDL is still open. |
Hernia Mesh Developments Timeline
Recent updates show that the Bard litigation has shifted to managing hernia mesh settlements following BD’s 2024 resolution announcement. Meanwhile, the Covidien MDL is preparing for its first bellwether trial. It’s scheduled to begin on July 13 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts in Boston.
The FDA also continues to monitor the safety of hernia mesh. They track reports of pain, infection, hernia recurrence, adhesion, obstruction and mesh migration or shrinkage.
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June 2026
Judge Patti B. Saris denied Covidien's motion for summary judgment, allowing key claims to proceed in a bellwether lawsuit involving Covidien's Symbotex hernia mesh. The judge found there was enough evidence for a jury to consider allegations that the company misrepresented the mesh's ability to prevent internal tissue adhesions.
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May 2026
Judge Patti B. Saris declined to block certain defense experts from testifying in the first Covidien case. The judge ruled it was too early to exclude their testimony before determining what opinions they may offer at trial.
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November 2025
Judge Patti B. Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts scheduled the first Covidien bellwether trial for July 13, 2026. The case involves claims that a Symbotex patch caused injuries.
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August 2025
The mediation deadline for the Covidien cases has been extended into January, giving both sides more time to negotiate a potential settlement.
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April 2025
The first two bellwether trials in the Covidien MDL have been scheduled for February 2026 and July 2026. The results of these trials could play a notable role in the litigation.
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January 2025
The judge ordered the establishment of a settlement fund for the Bard MDL.
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November 2024
Judge Landya B. McCafferty approved a fund to compensate people injured by Atrium Medical Corporation's C-Qur Mesh used in hernia surgeries. While a final settlement hasn't been reached, ongoing talks suggest the company is willing to address these claims. Additional plaintiffs received settlements from Ethicon. The number of pending hernia mesh lawsuits against Covidien rose to 1,546, and Covidien was compelled to turn over outstanding documents. Two special masters now oversee the settlement process for Bard's products. A special master is a person a judge picks to help with a court case. This person is usually an expert in something important to the case, like money, medical records or technical rules.
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October 2024
Becton, Dickinson and Company announced that a confidential settlement agreement had been reached. This has ended most cases against Bard. However, it was discovered that Bard and Covidien were still selling hernia mesh products that could injure people, so many more lawsuits are expected.
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September 2024
With 1,472 pending cases, the hernia mesh case against Covidien became the 17th largest MDL in the country.
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February 2024
The judge presiding over the Bard case declared there would be no further trials. The relevant parties were ordered to attempt to reach a settlement. Cases against Covidien began to grow and move forward.
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January 2024
At the beginning of the month, the MDL against Bard included over 20,000 filed cases. Litigation began over five years ago.
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December 2023
Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ethicon reached settlement agreements with 224 plaintiffs in the MDL. The amounts were not specified.
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October 2023
C.R. Bard’s third bellwether test trial was scheduled to begin.
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April 2023
Ethicon dismissed several cases from the MDL, which remains open despite a confidential settlement in September 2021.
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March 2023
The judge rescheduled Stinson v. C.R. Bard et al., the third hernia mesh bellwether trial, for October 16, 2023. The trial was initially scheduled for May 2023, but the MDL Judge granted C.R. Bard’s request to postpone the trial.
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April 2022
In the second bellwether trial, a jury awarded Antonio Milanesi a $255,000 verdict against C.R. Bard.
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December 2021
A judge granted a Motion to Establish a Qualified Settlement Fund in the Atrium MDL. The settlement terms are confidential, but Atrium reportedly set aside $66 million.
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September 2021
Ethicon agreed to a confidential global settlement.
Why People Are Filing Hernia Mesh Lawsuits
People file hernia mesh lawsuits when some implants fail after surgery and cause complications that may require another operation. These lawsuits claim that the companies designed the mesh poorly and failed to warn doctors and patients about known risks.
- Adhesion: Hernia mesh can stick to tissue or other organs.
- Bowel Obstruction: Hernia mesh can move or stick to the intestines, blocking the bowel.
- Groin or Testicular Pain: Pinched nerves can cause a burning sensation at the surgical site.
- Hernia Recurrence: The mesh may fail to prevent the hernia from returning.
- Infection: Chronic inflammation around the hernia mesh can lead to infection.
- Migration: Hernia mesh can move from the surgery site to other parts of the body.
- Pain: Chronic pain may lead to nerve damage or chronic inflammation.
- Perforation of Organs or Tissues: Other body parts can be punctured when the mesh migrates.
- Seromas: Pockets of fluid can build up around the surgical site.
- Revision Surgery: Patients may need one or more surgeries to remove faulty hernia mesh.
The complications in lawsuits closely mirror the tens of thousands of adverse event reports the FDA has received.
- Additional surgical procedure
- Adhesions
- Disability
- Inflammation
- Injury
- Nausea
- Pain
- Unspecified infection
- Unspecified tissue injury
These reports do not prove that every injury was caused by mesh. Still, they help explain why lawsuits persist and why many patients continue to seek answers after surgery.
Do You Qualify for a Hernia Mesh Lawsuit?
To qualify for a lawsuit, you must have experienced serious complications from a hernia mesh product. You also have to file before your state’s deadline.
“The people that are eligible for filing a hernia mesh claim would be folks who have had complications after a hernia mesh surgery,” Hernia mesh attorney Daniel Nigh told Consumer Notice. “So, for example, if you’ve had or if you’re scheduled for a revision surgery or you’ve had a revision of your hernia mesh, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.”
- You had hernia repair surgery using mesh on or after January 1, 2006.
- You suffered serious injuries like adhesions, hernia recurrence, intestinal blockage, mesh moving, organ damage or infection more than 30 days after your first surgery.
- You needed another surgery because of complications.
If any of this sounds familiar, you can talk with an experienced lawyer to discuss your legal options. Consumer Notice partners with leading medical device attorneys and law firms nationwide. We can provide you with a free case review to determine whether you qualify for a lawsuit. There’s no cost to you and no obligation to pursue litigation if you decide against it.
Manufacturers Named in Hernia Mesh Lawsuits
People harmed by their hernia mesh have filed lawsuits against manufacturers in both federal and state courts. Although other companies are involved, as of June 2026, the main manufacturers named in federal multidistrict lawsuits are Atrium, Bard, Covidien and Ethicon (a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary).
| Atrium | C-Qur Centrix, C-Qur Edge, C-Qur Mesh, C-Qur Mosaic, C-Qur TacShield, C-Qur V-Patch |
| Bard Davol | 3DMax, 3DMax Light, Bard Mesh, Bard Flat Mesh, Bard Pre-shaped Mesh, Bard Keyhole Mesh, Composix, Composix E/X, Composix Kugel, Kugel, Modified Kugel Patch, MK Patch, Parastomal Patch, Perfix Light, Perfix Plug, Speramesh IP Composite, Spermatex, Ventralex, Ventralex ST, Ventralex Patch, Ventralight ST, Ventralight ST with Echo, VentrioST, Visilex |
| Covidien | Parietene, Parietene Composite, Parietene Progrip, Parietex, Parietex Composite Open Skirt, Parietex Lightweight, Parietex Parastomal, Parietene Macroporus, Parietex Composite, Parietex Composite Hiatal, Parietex Composite Ventral Patch, Parietex Easegrip, Parietex Plug and Patch, Parietex ProGrip, Surgipro, Surgipro Plug and Patch, Symbotex |
| Ethicon | Physiomesh, Proceed Mesh, Proceed Ventral Patch, Prolene 3D, Prolene Hernia System |
Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts
Settlement and verdict amounts in hernia mesh litigation vary widely, so there is no “average payout” that applies to every case. Sizable verdicts and hernia mesh settlements have shaped the litigation.
| Bard/Becton Dickinson settlement | BD agreed in October 2024 to settle roughly 38,000 hernia mesh lawsuits. The settlement was confidential, but the company said it would include the “vast majority” of the $1.7 billion set aside for litigation. |
| Bard verdicts | Bard litigation resulted in some rulings in favor of plaintiffs. These include a $4.8 million state court verdict and $255,000 and $500,000 verdicts in federal trials. |
| Ethicon settlement | Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon settled more than 3,700 Physiomesh lawsuits in 2021. The company settled the roughly 200 cases remaining in December 2023, resolving the litigation. The settlement was confidential, so amounts were not made public. |
| Atrium settlement | Atrium’s MDL was resolved through a 2021 settlement. The company set aside more than $66 million for the litigation. |
Compensation usually covers medical bills, revision surgery, lost wages, pain and suffering and the loss of normal quality of life. Individual settlement amounts depend on the severity of the injury, the strength of the medical records and whether the case required revision surgery or other additional treatment.
How Hernia Mesh Lawsuits Work: MDL vs. Class Action
Hernia mesh cases are not combined into one big lawsuit. Instead, similar cases are grouped into something called an MDL. This allows a federal judge to handle the pretrial steps for each case more efficiently.
This differs from a class action. In a class action, everyone is part of a single case and usually receives the same result. In an MDL, each person’s claim stays separate, so each plaintiff can seek compensation for their own injuries and damages.
The next important step in an MDL involves bellwether trials. In these “test trials,” a few cases are picked to go first. This helps both sides see how juries react before the rest of the cases continue.
The MDLs are separated by manufacturer, which is why there seem to be many hernia mesh lawsuits progressing simultaneously. The cases are grouped together to make pretrial work easier and used to see how claims might be resolved over time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hernia Mesh Lawsuits
- What is the average hernia mesh settlement?
- Verdicts in bellwether trials have ranged from $255,000 to $4.8 million. Many settlements are confidential. The amount an individual may receive depends on injury severity, required surgeries and ongoing complications. A free case review can help you understand what your situation may be worth.
- Can you still sue for hernia mesh?
- Yes. As of June 2026, there are 26,153 lawsuits still active across four federal MDLs. People continue to file. If you had hernia repair surgery and experienced complications requiring additional treatment, you may still be eligible. Statutes of limitations vary by state, so acting quickly matters.
- Has the Bard hernia mesh lawsuit been settled?
- Bard's parent company, Becton Dickinson, announced a settlement in October 2024 to resolve the majority of its cases. Reuters estimated the amount to be over $1 billion. However, Covidien cases remain active, and new lawsuits are still being filed as people learn about their options.
- What are the signs you may qualify for a hernia mesh lawsuit?
- You may qualify if you had hernia surgery with mesh on or after January 1, 2006, and later developed serious complications that required revision or additional surgery. Complications can include mesh migration, bowel obstruction, severe infection, organ perforation or hernia recurrence.
- What should I do if I think my hernia mesh failed?
- First, seek medical care if you're experiencing symptoms. Then document your symptoms, surgery history and related medical bills. Contact an experienced hernia mesh attorney — many offer free consultations — to learn if you have a case.
9 Cited Research Articles
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- Harris Martin Publishing. (2026, June 3). Covidien Denied Summary Judgment on Warning, Fraud Claims in Bellwether Hernia Mesh Action. Retrieved from https://www.harrismartin.com/publications/27/MDL/articles/92965/covidien-denied-summary-judgment-on-warning-fraud-claims-in-bellwether-hernia-mesh-action/
- U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. (2026, June 1). MDL Statistics Report. Retrieved from https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-June-1-2026.pdf
- Harris Martin Publishing. (2026, May 7). Judge Allows Certain Defense Expert Opinions in Bellwether Covidien Mesh Action. Retrieved from https://www.harrismartin.com/publications/4/drugs/articles/90754/judge-allows-certain-defense-expert-opinions-in-bellwether-covidien-mesh-action/
- Harris Martin Publishing. (2023, November 25). Bellwether Trial in Covidien Hernia Mesh MDL Scheduled for July 2026. Retrieved from https://www.harrismartin.com/publications/4/drugs/articles/77388/bellwether-trial-in-covidien-hernia-mesh-mdl-scheduled-for-july-2026/
- Pierson, B. (2024, October 3). Becton Dickinson Agrees to Settle About 38,000 Hernia Mesh Suits. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/becton-dickinson-agrees-settle-about-38000-hernia-mesh-suits-2024-10-03/
- Becton Dickinson. (2024, October 2). BD Reaches Agreement to Resolve Vast Majority of Hernia Litigation. Retrieved from https://news.bd.com/2024-10-02-BD-Reaches-Agreement-to-Resolve-Vast-Majority-of-Hernia-Litigation
- Newmarker, C. (2023, December 5). Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon Settles More Physiomesh Suits. Retrieved from https://www.massdevice.com/johnson-johnsons-ethicon-settles-remaining-physiomesh-suits/
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023, July 13). Surgical Mesh Used for Hernia Repair. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/implants-and-prosthetics/surgical-mesh-used-hernia-repair
- Sanders, B. (2021, December 17). Merrimack-Based Atrium Medical Announces Hernia Mesh Settlement. Retrieved from https://www.nhbr.com/merrimack-based-atrium-medical-announces-hernia-mesh-settlement/
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