Rejuvenate, metal hip implant components manufactured by Stryker Corporation, have been linked to a broad range of debilitating injuries, including organ and tissue damage, inflammation, and metal poisoning.
More than 2,000 Stryker hip lawsuits have been filed in U. S. federal court, designated as multidistrict litigation (MDL), and others have been filed in state courts, including hundreds more in New Jersey that have been consolidated into a multicounty litigation (MCL) in the Superior Court of Bergen County, N.J.
With the 2,000 lawsuits having been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in U.S. District Court in Minnesota, the hope is the recall lawsuits will move faster and resolve more quickly.
The hip recall lawsuits share similar claims, alleging that Stryker:
- Was negligent in designing the hip implant devices and testing their safety
- Failed to warn consumers about the dangers of the devices
- Concealed information about the risk of serious injury and death
The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages including reimbursement of lost wages, costs of revision surgery, other medical expenses and some seek punitive damages. Those who still have the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II devices implanted in their bodies are also seeking medical monitoring coverage so any adverse effects can be detected as early as possible.
Mediation began in several Rejuvenate lawsuits in the Fall of 2013 in New Jersey, and a small group of cases, known as bellwether cases, are being prepared for early trial dates in June 2015. These bellwether cases will provide some insight into how juries are likely to respond to some of the evidence and testimony that will be offered in the Stryker MDL.
Some of the factors a jury will likely consider in Stryker lawsuits include:
- The injuries caused by the implant
- The effect any complications caused by the implant had on the plaintiff’s overall physical and mental condition
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Past and future pain and suffering related to complications caused by the implant
- Past and future medical expenses relating to the Rejuvenate surgery
Stryker initiated the recall of Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stems after the implants showed signs of corroding and fretting in July of 2012. The company has stated that the recall and lawsuits could cost it as much as $1.3 billion to resolve and settlement in the days ahead. As a leader in the Stryker hip implant litigation, our hip implant recall attorneys continue to review and file new claims on behalf of Stryker victims nationwide. If you have questions or concerns about your potential claim, contact us know to learn how we can help.