Published July 23, 2026
Patterson v. Covidien, the first bellwether trial in the federal Covidien hernia mesh litigation, began July 13, 2026 before U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris in the District of Massachusetts. More than 2,200 lawsuits are consolidated in that multidistrict litigation, all alleging that Covidien's Symbotex composite mesh, used in hernia repair surgeries, was defectively designed and inadequately labeled for its risks.
The trial almost didn't happen on schedule. Covidien had moved for summary judgment seeking to have the Patterson case thrown out before trial, and that motion's hearing was pushed back twice, first from February 17 to March 19, 2026, then to April 2, 2026, at the parties' joint request — though both sides made clear they weren't trying to delay the July trial date itself. Judge Saris ultimately denied Covidien's motion, finding there was enough evidence for a jury to consider whether the company misrepresented the mesh's ability to prevent internal tissue adhesions, allowing the failure-to-warn and fraud claims to proceed.
Plaintiff Larry Patterson had Symbotex mesh implanted during hernia repair surgery in July 2017. According to his complaint, the mesh adhered tightly to his small bowel, contributing to a bowel obstruction and a recurrent hernia that required major corrective surgery in July 2020, during which surgeons removed a section of bowel that had become attached to the mesh.
As the first jury test in this MDL, the outcome of the Patterson case is being watched closely because bellwether verdicts often shape how both sides value the thousands of remaining claims — and whether or when broader settlement talks begin, as happened in the separate, larger hernia mesh litigation against Bard and Davol. If you experienced complications after hernia mesh surgery, including with Covidien or Medtronic products, see Atumio's hernia mesh case page for a free case review, or start your case review directly.