Three Stryker lawsuits filed on behalf of those who suffered serious complications caused by the Rejuvenate Hip Stem and the ABG II Modular Hip Stem have completed mediation and two have been settled, according to the Long Island News. This brings the number of New Jersey Multicounty Litigation (MCL) cases mediated up to 21 and the number of mediated cases resolved to 19. Others are still pending in the Stryker Hip Implant MDL and have been set for trial in the Summer of 2015. It is expected these cases will help expose the inadequate pre-marketing testing and derive top dollar for those affected by these defective implants.
The lawsuits allege that Stryker’s metal on metal hip implant products cause serious side effects including metal toxicity and device failure, according to court documents. In December 2013, Stryker agreed to settle four other hip lawsuits filed in New Jersey state court for undisclosed sums. Stryker has reportedly set aside between &700 million and $1.1 billion for litigation expenses, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Stryker Hip Implant Recall
Stryker decided to voluntarily recall its Rejuvenate and ABG II hip stems in June 2012 due to prospective fretting and corrosion at the modular-neck junction that could potentially result in adverse local tissue reactions (ALTR) as well as pain and/or swelling at or around the hip.
After the recall, Stryker recommended that surgeons consider performing blood work and cross section imaging on all patients who received a Rejuvenate or ABG II modular-neck hip stem, even in the presence of normal findings and regardless of whether the patient is experiencing pain and/or swelling.
Costs to Stryker
According to Stryker, the ultimate total cost to resolve the entire matter is still uncertain and will depend on the number of and actual costs of patients seeking testing and treatment services, the number of and actual costs of patients requiring revision surgeries, the number of and actual costs to settle lawsuits, and the amount of third-party insurance recoveries. Stryker is reimbursing patients for testing, treatment, revision surgery if necessary, and other costs related to the recall via a company called Broadspire. Read our previous post on Broadspire before you reach out to them as there are some important things you need to know about them.
Approximately 20,000 of the Stryker devices have been implanted in the U.S., and more than 3,000 lawsuits have been filed over damages caused by the hip implants. Stryker hip implant recall lawsuits continue to be filed by those affected by these dangerous products and the law firm of Childers, Schlueter & Smith continue to review and file the same. If you have questions about your potential hip implant claim, give us a call to learn how we can help.
