Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) recently agreed to settle around 38,000 hernia mesh lawsuits for an undisclosed amount, though reports suggest the total payouts could exceed $1 Billion.
Hernia mesh lawsuits allege that C.R. Bard and Davol Inc., which are owned by BD, designed defective mesh products, failed to adequately test them, and didn’t properly warn users about potential risks.
As these products broke down, they reportedly caused infections, organ damage, chronic pain, and other serious complications.
For over 45 years, Sokolove Law has fought to hold companies like Bard accountable for harming patients. Contact us now to see if you may qualify for a hernia mesh settlement.
Will Bard Settle Out of Court for Hernia Mesh?
In October 2024, Bard’s parent company Becton Dickinson agreed to an out-of-court settlement for hernia mesh lawsuits. The settlement involves both cases in the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) and those filed in state court.
In total, around 38,000 claims will be resolved, including:
- Nearly 25,000 hernia mesh claims in the Ohio MDL, which was first filed in 2018
- Over 15,000 claims in Rhode Island, where Bard’s headquarters is located
While specific Bard hernia mesh settlement amounts haven’t been announced, many believe total payouts could be upwards of $1 Billion.
The company’s last quarterly report set aside $1.7 Billion for product liability litigation, and BD noted the hernia mesh settlement was a “large majority” of this amount.
The company plans to make payments over several years, with the first hernia mesh settlement being paid by the end of 2024.
A History of Bard Hernia Mesh Litigation
The first hernia mesh lawsuit was filed in Rhode Island in 2006, and BD got involved in the litigation after purchasing Bard in 2017.
As these lawsuits progressed, bellwether trials were scheduled for cases in the MDL. A bellwether trial helps predict how a jury might react to a claim, giving an idea of how much may be awarded in similar lawsuits.
C.R. Bard hernia mesh lawsuit updates so far include:
- 2021: A jury ruled in Bard’s favor during the first bellwether trial of the MDL.
- 2022: The second bellwether trial awarded $250,000 to the victim.
- 2023: A third bellwether trial resulted in a $500,000 verdict against the company.
- 2022: The first state court trial in Rhode Island granted $4.8 Million to victims.
- 2024: A fourth bellwether trial was removed from the court calendar, and the judge told both sides to come to an agreement instead, which may be upwards of $1 Billion.
After three trial losses in a row that awarded increasing amounts of compensation, Bard may have wanted to settle now to avoid future verdicts and further legal costs.
Despite the settlement agreement, Bard’s parent company has not admitted any wrongdoing. Injured patients can still choose to pursue an individual hernia mesh settlement, although cases may go to court.
“The settlement does not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing, and BD continues to dispute the allegations in these matters. The company will continue to vigorously defend itself in cases not resolved through this agreement.”
– BD Press Release
Find Out If You Qualify for Hernia Mesh Settlements
At Sokolove Law, we’re actively involved in the hernia mesh litigation and accepting new cases. If you or a loved one suffered complications, you may be eligible for compensation from a hernia mesh lawsuit.
The time to pursue hernia mesh settlement amounts is limited due to laws called statutes of limitations in each state. It’s important to act fast, or you could miss out on the compensation you deserve.
Our firm has successfully handled claims involving many defective products, medical devices, and other personal injuries caused by negligence. We’ve recovered over $9.6 Billion total nationwide.
Get a free case review now or call (800) 995-1212 to see if you may qualify for a Bard mesh settlement.
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