Bard Ventralight Lawsuit Claims Hernia Mesh Failure Resulted in Ongoing Physical Disabilities

More than 25,000 lawsuits have been filed against C.R. Bard since 2018, alleging the company failed to adequately test polypropylene hernia mesh implants or warn about risks.

An Ohio woman has filed a Bard Ventralight hernia mesh lawsuit, claiming that defects in the polypropylene implant caused her to suffer chronic pain, a recurrent hernia and ongoing physical disabilities.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Jerica Weaver in New Jersey Superior Court on May 28, and removed to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that same day by the defendant, C.R. Bard Inc.

Weaver claims the manufacturer sold and marketed the Ventralight ST mesh as a safe and effective treatment for hernias, despite knowing the device was prone to failure and serious complications.

Hernia Mesh Failure Risks

The Ventralight ST Mesh is used primarily in laparoscopic surgeries to repair ventral, incisional and umbilical hernias. It is designed to reinforce the abdominal wall and allow for tissue ingrowth while protecting sensitive internal organs.

The mesh is a dual-sided hernia repair implant designed with two distinct surfaces intended to serve different functions after placement. One side is coated with a temporary bioresorbable hydrogel barrier intended to reduce the formation of adhesions between the mesh and nearby organs during the healing process. The opposite side consists of a permanent polypropylene mesh that is meant to integrate with surrounding tissue and provide long-term reinforcement of the abdominal wall.

However, a growing number of hernia mesh lawsuits allege the polypropylene material in the Ventralight and other hernia meshes can trigger adverse biological reactions. Lawsuits allege these reactions may lead to complications such as chronic inflammation, adhesions, infection, mesh shrinkage, erosion and persistent pain, often requiring additional surgery.

Bard Ventralight Hernia Mesh Failure Allegations

According to the claims, Weaver underwent ventral hernia repair surgery in July 2022, when surgeons implanted a Bard Ventralight ST mesh. Less than two years later, she allegedly required extensive revision surgery to address a recurrent incisional hernia and other abdominal complications. The complaint indicates she continues to experience chronic pain and limitations that impair daily activities.

The lawsuit claims Bard’s Ventralight ST hernia mesh was defectively designed and manufactured because it contains polypropylene, a material plaintiffs allege is biologically incompatible with human tissue and can trigger chronic inflammation, degradation, contraction and other complications after implantation. 

The complaint further alleges Bard failed to adequately warn patients and physicians about these risks, which may lead to infection, adhesions, hernia recurrence and the need for additional surgeries. 

Weaver contends Bard knew or should have known that polypropylene mesh devices could degrade, shrink and trigger prolonged foreign-body reactions after implantation, yet continued to market the products as safe and effective. The lawsuit further alleges the company failed to conduct adequate testing and concealed information about the frequency and severity of complications linked to its hernia mesh devices.

“As a direct and proximate result of Defendant’s defective design, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, sale and warnings concerning the Ventralight ST Mesh, Plaintiff suffered, and continues to suffer, injuries and damages, including: past, present and future physical and mental pain and suffering; physical disabilities; and past, present, and future medical, hospital, rehabilitative, and pharmaceutical expenses; as well as other related damages.”

— Jerica Weaver v. C.R. Bard Inc.

Weaver raises allegations of strict liability—failure to warn. She seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as compensation for future medical treatment and other losses.

Hernia Mesh Lawsuits

Since 2018, more than 25,000 hernia mesh lawsuits have been filed against C.R. Bard over a variety of products, including the Ventralex, Ventralight, PerFix Plug and 3DMax lines. Plaintiffs throughout the litigation maintain that the manufacturer failed to adequately test its products or warn patients and physicians about known risks associated with polypropylene mesh implants. 

Although Bard reached a broad hernia mesh settlement in October 2025 to resolve a substantial portion of the pending litigation, the claims have not fully ended. 

Payouts are expected to occur over several years, and new lawsuits continue to emerge as individuals with Bard mesh implants experience recent failures or develop complications after years of use. 

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