A federal jury has ordered Medtronic to pay $88 million to Larry Patterson and his wife, Tammy, after finding that hernia mesh manufactured by its Covidien unit caused Larry serious injuries and that his physicians were never adequately warned of the risks. The verdict was delivered on August 4, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris in Boston, and represents the highest compensatory damages award in the 15-year history of mesh products litigation in the United States—surpassing all prior hernia mesh and transvaginal mesh trial outcomes.

Case Background and Injuries

Larry Patterson, 61, was implanted with a Symbotex hernia mesh during a hernia repair procedure in 2017. According to trial evidence, the mesh's protective collagen coating dissolved in approximately seven days—far sooner than the 30 days physicians were told to expect—causing the mesh to adhere to his bowel. Patterson subsequently underwent a second surgery to remove the mesh, along with several inches of his intestine. Both Larry and Tammy Patterson testified about the impact the past six years have had on their lives.

The jury found that Covidien failed to warn physicians about the risks associated with the mesh. The verdict breakdown is outlined below:

Covidien denied the allegations throughout the trial, arguing that Larry Patterson's medical history and other risk factors were responsible for his injuries.

Timeline of the Litigation

Patterson's case was the first of more than 2,400 lawsuits against Covidien to reach a jury, arising from federal multidistrict litigation MDL No. 3029, which coordinates claims that Covidien's hernia mesh products—including Parietex, ProGrip, and Symbotex—were defectively designed and inadequately labeled. The key milestones in the litigation are summarized below:

The case is formally identified as Patterson v. Covidien Inc., No. 1:22-cv-10153, a member case in MDL 3029, pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. This verdict resolves only the Pattersons' individual claims.

Legal Representation

Timothy M. O'Brien, shareholder at Levin, Papantonio, Proctor, Buchanan, O'Brien, Barr & Mougey, P.A., led the trial team. Kelsey Stokes of Stokes & Hobbs handled key witnesses and tried the case alongside O'Brien. Levin Papantonio attorneys Alex Taylor and Caleb Cunningham contributed to developing important trial testimony, including that of Patterson's implanting surgeon, whose testimony as a neutral witness supported the failure-to-warn claims.

O'Brien serves on the Plaintiffs' Executive Committee within the Covidien Hernia Mesh MDL. Commenting on the outcome, O'Brien stated: "This is a substantial verdict for the substantial damage caused to this wonderful man and his wife. The jury found this company concealed the truth about Symbotex, and hit them with the consequences."

About Levin Papantonio

Founded in 1955, Levin Papantonio has represented individuals and families harmed by dangerous products and corporate misconduct, helping to secure over $85 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients across the country. The firm has served in leadership roles in many of the nation's largest mass tort cases and continues to advocate for clients in complex pharmaceutical, medical device, environmental, and products liability litigation.

Medtronic plc has completed its acquisition of SPR Therapeutics for $650 million in an upfront cash payment to expand its pain therapy portfolio. The deal adds the SPRINT PNS System, a minimally invasive, non-opioid treatment for chronic and acute pain, to Medtronic's offerings. This acquisition strengthens Medtronic's leadership in the neuromodulation sector and broadens patient access to short-term peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) therapies.

The SPRINT PNS System is a 60-day therapy designed to provide pain relief without requiring a permanent implant. Clinical data from 13 studies indicates that 60% of patients achieved meaningful pain relief, defined as a reduction in pain intensity of 50% or more, at the end of treatment. Responders experienced an average pain reduction of 76%, while all patients saw a 56% reduction in pain intensity.

Domenico De Paolis, Interim President of the Neuromodulation Operating Unit at Medtronic, stated that the addition of SPRINT extends the company's ability to serve patients across the continuum of pain care. He emphasized that the technology broadens access to a minimally invasive option for addressing both chronic and acute pain. Maria Bennett, President, Founder, and CEO of SPR, expressed that joining Medtronic enables the company to expand access to its technology and serve more patients.

The acquisition is expected to be minimally dilutive to Medtronic's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in FY27. Following FY27, the company anticipates the transaction will be neutral to accretive. Medtronic remains focused on strategic deals that complement its portfolio and enhance therapy options for physicians and hospital partners.

Financial and Operational Impact

The acquisition aligns with Medtronic's strategy to pursue high-growth opportunities within its core businesses. The SPRINT technology is supported by multiple prospective clinical studies and randomized controlled trials.

About the Technology

PNS delivers mild electrical stimulation near targeted peripheral nerves to help reduce pain. As a non-surgical therapy, it supports earlier intervention in the care continuum. The SPRINT system is FDA-cleared and designed for sustained pain relief for up to three months following the 60-day treatment period.