According to reports and several Arkansas Stryker Hip Attorneys, another Stryker lawsuit has recently been settled over the manufacturer’s Rejuvenate hip implant device due to mediation efforts in a consolidated litigation pending in New Jersey. Court records show that this particular case has been chosen to participate in the Bergen County proceeding’s Phase I of the early mediation process, which began in December 2013. According to documents filed in January 2014, this agreement follows four other settlements that have been reached so far in the litigation proceeding.
If you or someone you love received a Stryker metal-on-metal hip implant and you suffered from adverse or life-threatening complications, you may be entitled to pursue a claim. Contact Attorney Group for Arkansas to learn more about your legal rights and be connected with affiliated Arkansas Stryker hip attorneys who can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Five Stryker Recall Settlements Follow Mediation Efforts
In June 2013, a multidistrict litigation was established in the U.S. District of Minnesota in front of Judge Donovan W. Frank. Over half of all the litigation pertaining to the ABG II and Rejuvenate devices is being handled in this court, according to several Arkansas Stryker hip attorneys.
Judge Brian R. Martinotti, presiding over the lawsuits in New Jersey, ordered in the last week of January 2014 that Phase II of mediation will begin soon after five cases were settled, and the judge has since directed the parties to choose lawsuits that may be eligible for its second round on or before February 4, 2013. Final selections will be announced on February 11 and scheduled for mediation in March and April 2014.
A recent case list update indicates that the number of cases filed in this litigation is continuing to grow. As of the end of January 2014, an updated post on the Court’s website reported that 664 Stryker ABG II and Rejuvenate hip lawsuits have been filed. According to several Arkansas Stryker hip attorneys, over 500 Stryker lawsuits have been brought in the federal litigation.
The details of the five Stryker hip settlements have not yet been released. However, the manufacturer released an estimated loss of over $1 billion of costs associated with Stryker hip settlements, the recall and litigation in its third-quarter earnings report in 2013.
Stryker Hip Implant Overview
These cases were brought on behalf of patients who allegedly experienced swelling, pain, symptoms associated with metal poisoning and other complications following implantation of the devices. Among other things, plaintiffs claim to have suffered from premature device failure complications that resulted in the need for revision procedures prior to the manufacturer’s recall of the devices on July 6 , 2012. Consider seeking legal counsel from Arkansas Stryker hip attorneys if you also experienced injuries or adverse side effects while fitted with a Stryker hip implant device.
Among other claims, plaintiffs allege that:
- The manufacturer led patients and doctors to believe that its devices were superior to other implants.
- The manufacturer did not adequately test the devices.
- The device can deteriorate, corrode and otherwise cause metal toxicity.
- The manufacturer neglected to warn patients and doctors of the risks of the device.
- The manufacturer knew or should have known that its products were potentially more dangerous than other comparable units due to the risk of corrosion and fretting.
- The systems contain manufacturing and design defects that may cause severe and permanent damage.
According to court documents, more than 20,000 ABG II and Rejuvenate hip stems had been sold worldwide prior to the announcement of the Stryker recall. However, it is not clear how many devices were actually implanted into patients. The manufacturer pulled the metal components from the market after reviewing data that suggested the implants were prone to corrosion and fretting at the modular-neck junction, which could cause patients to experience swelling, pain and adverse local tissue reactions. Because corrosion and fretting may still occur in the absence of symptoms, Stryker has recommended that all ABG II and Rejuvenate recipients undergo imaging and blood tests to ensure their device is properly functioning.
Injured? Arkansas Stryker Hip Attorneys Can Help
Have you or someone you love experienced adverse side effects or complications after you were fitted with a Stryker hip implant? Consider seeking legal counsel from Arkansas Stryker hip attorneys. At Attorney Group for Arkansas, we understand how devastating hip implant injuries can be. As a patient, you need to devote your time and energy to recovering and healing. We will provide you with a consultation to help you to determine if you have a claim, and our affiliated Arkansas Stryker hip attorneys will work to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled. Depending on your injury or condition, you may be eligible to recover damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. Contact Attorney Group for Arkansas today.
