Bard hernia mesh lawsuits may be centralized into an MDL as has been done with Ethicon and Atrium hernia mesh lawsuits.

On April 10, a motion was filed with the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation asking for centralization of all federally-filed Atrium hernia mesh lawsuits regarding hernia mesh devices manufactured by C.R. Bard Inc and its subsidiary Davol Inc.

The plaintiffs have proposed to centralize the MDL in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

According to the motion, there are over 50 Bard hernia mesh lawsuits pending in federal courts around the country. All of the Bard hernia mesh lawsuits involve injuries allegedly related to Bard and Davol’s polypropylene hernia mesh implants. Products included in the Bard hernia mesh lawsuits include the Ventralex and Perfix products.

Bard is not the only hernia mesh company subject to litigation. Ethicon Inc also faces lawsuits in an MDL regarding their Physiomesh Flexible Composite mesh product. In 2016, Ethicon announced a worldwide market withdrawal of the products after registry data indicated that the Physiomesh products were more likely fail and need revision.

In addition to Ethicon and Bard, Atrium Medical Corp. is also involved in an MDL. The Atrium hernia mesh lawsuits concern the company C-Qur hernia mesh implants. Plaintiffs in the C-Qur Atrium hernia mesh lawsuits claim that the implants cause an inflammatory response that can lead to improper fixation, bowel adhesions, and other severe complications.

A hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Characterized by a bulge in the abdomen, a hernia can be painful especially during a cough, sneeze, or any physical activity. Not all hernias need repair, but in some cases, a doctor will recommend surgery. A hernia repair is accomplished either laparoscopically or through open surgery by pushing the tissue back into place, and “patching” a hernia with a hernia mesh protect.

However not all hernia mesh products are created equal. Bard, Ethicon, and Atrium hernia mesh lawsuits claim that the hernia mesh products can encourage adhesion and infection during the healing process. These complications can lead to serious side effects that may necessitate revision.

If you or a loved one developed hernia mesh complications after a hernia repair surgery, you may be eligible for Bard, Ethicon, or Atrium hernia mesh lawsuits. Plaintiffs in Bard, Ethicon, and Atrium hernia mesh lawsuits may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, loss of consortium, and more.

The proposed Bard/Davol MDL, In re: Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation, is MDL No. 2846 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. The Ethicon MDL, In re: Ethicon Physiomesh Flexible Composite Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation, is MDL No. 2782 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. The Atrium MDL, In re: Atrium Medical Corp. C-Qur Mesh Products Liability Litigation, is Case No. 16-md-2753-LM in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire.