US judge to slash $88 million hernia mesh jury award against Medtronic
MDT•A US judge said she plans to reduce an $88 million jury award against Medtronic over its hernia mesh, calling the verdict “shocking and excessive.” The award followed a finding that Medtronic’s Covidien unit failed to adequately warn about the mesh’s dangers.
1. Judge plans to reduce award
US District Judge Patti Saris said she plans to reduce the $88 million verdict awarded to Larry Patterson and his wife, finding it “shocking and excessive” and a “product of passion.” The jury had awarded $77 million to Patterson and $11 million to his wife after a three-week trial.
2. Thousands of cases pending
The case was the first hernia mesh bellwether trial among thousands of claims against Medtronic. About 10,500 plaintiffs nationally are pursuing cases, including 2,400 lawsuits consolidated in federal court before Saris. She urged the parties to consider settling so they could focus on the next bellwether trial, scheduled for January.
3. Mesh implant and injuries
Patterson received Covidien’s Symbotex mesh during a 2017 hernia repair and says it caused a bowel obstruction that required another operation in 2020. His lawyer said Patterson faces future surgeries; Medtronic’s lawyer argued the award was excessive, noting that Patterson remained able to work and carry out daily activities.
