In August 2026, a federal jury in Boston returned an $88 million verdict in the first bellwether trial over Covidien hernia mesh. Two more trials are set for early 2027, more than 10,000 people have filed claims, and Covidien has not announced a settlement. Here is where the Covidien hernia mesh lawsuits stand as of October 2026 and what it means if you are thinking about filing a claim for compensation.
Where the Covidien Lawsuits Stand
Covidien, a Medtronic company, faces claims in three main courts. The federal cases are consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL), In re: Covidien Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation No. II, MDL No. 3029, before Judge Patti B. Saris in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The MDL was created in June 2022 and had 2,479 pending cases as of October 1, 2026.
Most Covidien claims are in state court. In its September 2026 quarterly report, Medtronic said about 10,500 plaintiffs had filed hernia mesh claims: about 7,450 in a coordinated proceeding in Massachusetts state court, about 500 in Minnesota state court, and about 2,400 in the federal MDL.
The $88 Million Patterson Verdict
The first MDL bellwether trial, Patterson v. Covidien, went to a jury in July 2026. Larry Patterson of Alabama received a Covidien Symbotex Composite Mesh in a 2017 incisional hernia repair. In 2020 he developed a bowel obstruction from the bowel adhering to the mesh, along with a hernia recurrence, and needed reconstructive surgery.
At trial, the plaintiffs focused on the mesh’s collagen barrier, the layer meant to keep the bowel from sticking to the mesh. They argued that Covidien failed to warn surgeons that the barrier breaks down within days, leaving the polyester mesh exposed to the bowel.
On August 4, 2026, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of $88 million: $77 million to Mr. Patterson and $11 million to his wife, Tammy Patterson, for loss of consortium. The jury found that Covidien failed to warn. It did not award punitive damages.
Medtronic has said it strongly disagrees with the verdict and will challenge it through post-trial motions and an appeal. In its September 2026 quarterly report, the company recorded no liability for the verdict.
Upcoming Covidien Trials
- January 11, 2027: Stephen v. Covidien, the second MDL bellwether trial, is scheduled to begin in Boston.
- March 29, 2027: Passmore v. Covidien, the first bellwether trial over Covidien’s ProGrip mesh, is scheduled to begin. Covidien has said about 745 MDL cases involve ProGrip products.
The court ordered the parties to mediate in 2025 and extended the mediation deadline to January 2026, but no global settlement followed. Bellwether verdicts are meant to show both sides how juries value these claims, and they often shape settlement talks.
Which Covidien Products Are Involved
The claims involve Covidien’s hernia mesh lines, including:
- Parietex Composite, Parietex Optimized Composite, Parietex Composite Ventral Patch and Parietex Hydrophilic meshes
- Symbotex Composite Mesh
- ProGrip meshes, including Parietex ProGrip, ProGrip Laparoscopic and Parietene ProGrip
- Parietene DS Composite Mesh and other Parietene meshes
Most of these meshes are made of polyester. The lawsuits allege that polyester triggers chronic inflammation and can become brittle, break and shrink inside the body, and that the absorbable collagen barrier on Covidien’s composite meshes dissolves too quickly to protect the bowel. ProGrip claims also allege that the mesh’s small gripping hooks cause pain and make the mesh very hard to remove.
Who May Have a Claim
You may have a Covidien hernia mesh claim if:
- You had a hernia repair with a Covidien mesh, which your operative report will show
- You developed complications such as bowel adhesions or obstruction, chronic pain, infection, mesh migration or a recurrent hernia
- You needed revision surgery to repair or remove the mesh, or a doctor has recommended one
Every state sets a deadline, called the statute of limitations, for filing a claim. These deadlines vary and often run from when you knew or should have known your injury was related to the mesh, so it is important to have your claim reviewed as soon as possible.
Doyle APC currently represents clients nationwide in the Covidien hernia mesh lawsuits. We are also still reviewing select Bard claims with severe injuries; see our latest Bard update. Compensation in these claims can cover medical expenses, past and future, along with pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and a spouse’s loss of consortium.
Common Questions
Has Covidien settled its hernia mesh lawsuits?
No. As of October 2026, Covidien has not announced a global settlement. Court-ordered mediation in 2025 did not produce one, and the first bellwether trial ended in an $88 million verdict in August 2026. For how earlier hernia mesh litigation was resolved, see hernia mesh settlements and verdicts.
What happened in the first Covidien hernia mesh trial?
In Patterson v. Covidien, a federal jury in Boston awarded $88 million on August 4, 2026, finding that Covidien failed to warn about its Symbotex mesh. Covidien plans to challenge the verdict.
When is the next Covidien hernia mesh trial?
The second bellwether trial is scheduled for January 11, 2027, and a ProGrip bellwether trial is scheduled for March 29, 2027. Trial dates can change.
How many Covidien hernia mesh lawsuits are there?
Medtronic reported about 10,500 plaintiffs as of August 2026, with most in Massachusetts state court and about 2,400 in the federal MDL.
Do I need revision surgery to file a Covidien claim?
Most claims involve revision surgery to repair or remove the mesh, or a doctor’s recommendation for one. If you have had complications, we can review your medical records to see whether you have a claim.
Can I still file a Covidien hernia mesh claim?
Yes. New Covidien claims are still being filed. Deadlines vary by state, so it is important to act promptly.