Becton Dickinson (BD) has announced a settlement agreement to resolve nearly all U.S. lawsuits related to its hernia repair mesh, encompassing approximately 38,000 cases that have been ongoing for nearly two decades. The settlement was disclosed on October 2, 2024, but specific financial terms were not revealed. BD indicated that the settlement would account for a "large majority" of the $1.7 billion allocated for product liability litigation, as reported in its most recent quarterly filing. Payouts are expected to occur over several years, with the initial payments planned before the end of 2024.
Some of the cases are in state court in Providence, Rhode Island, while almost 25,000 are consolidated in federal court in Columbus, Ohio. Plaintiffs will have the option to opt out of the settlement, but attorneys anticipate high participation rates. BD maintains that it does not admit wrongdoing and intends to defend itself against any claims from individuals who choose not to join the settlement. This coordinated effort between state and federal courts, featuring appointed special masters to streamline the claims process, is noted as a significant development in mass tort litigation.
