C.R. Bard Hernia Mesh MDL No. 2846: A Complete Overview 

What Is Hernia Mesh? 

Hernia mesh is a medical device used in surgical repair of hernias, weak spots in the abdominal wall where internal tissue pushes through. These devices are typically made from polypropylene, a plastic designed to reinforce tissue and reduce recurrence. 
Bard (a division of Becton, Dickinson & Company) has produced many polypropylene hernia mesh products for decades, marketed for use in both ventral and inguinal hernia repairs.  

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Why Did Lawsuits Arise? The Background of MDL 2846 

In August 2018, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) centralized thousands of product liability lawsuits against C.R. Bard and its subsidiary Davol in one federal court, the Southern District of Ohio, under the docket MDL No. 2846: In Re: Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation.  

Instead of dozens of cases proceeding in many different district courts, MDL 2846 brings them together under one judge (Chief Judge Edmund A. Sargus, Jr.) for coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings.  

This consolidation serves several purposes: 

• Eliminates repetitive discovery 

• Prevents inconsistent rulings 

• Streamlines case management 

Allegations Against Bard’s Hernia Mesh Products 

Plaintiffs in MDL 2846 generally allege that Bard’s polypropylene mesh products were defective in design or warnings, which caused serious medical complications after implantation. Common claims include: 

• Mesh migration, mesh shifting from its original position. 

• Infection and chronic inflammation. 

• Organ adhesions, mesh attaching to internal organs. 

• Mesh failure or breakage, leading to recurrent hernias or additional surgeries.  

The underlying legal claims typically include design defects, failure to warn, negligence, and breach of warranty.  

Which Bard Mesh Products Are at Issue? 

The MDL covers many Bard/Davol polypropylene mesh products, including (but not limited to): 

• 3DMax and 3DMax Light 

• Ventralex, Ventralex ST 

• PerFix Plug and PerFix Plug Light 

• Composix and Composix LP 

• Ventrio and Ventrio ST 

• Sepramesh 

• Classic Bard Mesh 

These products were widely used in hernia repairs and implanted in tens of thousands of patients.  

Case Volume and Litigation Status 

MDL 2846 has become one of the largest pending product liability litigations in the U.S. 

As of early 2026: 

• Over 23,000+ Bard hernia mesh cases remain pending in the Ohio MDL.  

• Many new cases continue to be added as patients discover complications over time.  

This volume reflects both long-term complications and extended statute of limitations timelines that allow claims to be filed years after the original surgery.  

Settlement Developments & Financial Resolution 

A global settlement plan involving Bard’s parent company Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) was negotiated in 2024, creating a structured payment process with a multi-year timeline.  

According to case updates: 

• A settlement fund exceeding $1 billion has been established to address most litigated claims.  

• Settlement payments are ongoing, and eligible claimants may still be able to participate depending on deadlines and documentation requirements (like proof of mesh implantation and revision surgeries).  

Key Legal Concepts: MDL & Bellwether Trials 

Unlike a class action, an MDL consolidates individual lawsuits for efficiency while allowing each claimant’s case to preserve its unique facts and evidence. 

Bellwether trials select test cases tried first help both sides gauge likely outcomes and influence settlement negotiations. Bard MDL 2846 has seen several bellwether verdicts with mixed results, including favorable and adverse jury decisions.  

Who Can Still File & Deadlines 

You may qualify if: 

✔ Bard Mesh Implanted 
You have medical proof of a Bard hernia mesh implant (operative or hospital records). 

✔ Complications Documented 
You experienced issues like infection, mesh migration, adhesions, chronic pain, or revision surgery. 

✔ Filed Within Deadline 
Your claim is within the statute of limitations, typically 2–4 years from injury discovery (varies by state). 

Since litigation and settlement administration are ongoing, new claimants may still file if they meet the evidentiary and timing requirements.  

Conclusion: What MDL 2846 Means for Claimants 

MDL 2846 represents a significant chapter in hernia mesh litigation history. Thousands of patients have alleged harm from Bard’s polypropylene mesh implants. Through coordinated federal proceedings and a structured settlement framework, many claimants are pursuing or have already received  financial compensation for medical complications that significantly impacted their lives.  

For individuals who experienced chronic pain, infection, organ issues, or revision surgeries after receiving a Bard mesh implant, consulting an experienced product liability attorney remains essential to understanding rights and potential compensation. 

How Draft n Craft Supports Hernia Mesh & Mass Tort Litigation 

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