Stryker recalled two of its metal-on-metal hip implant models in 2012, and since that point, the company faced a mass tort lawsuit from thousands of plaintiffs. On November 3, the company reached a $1 billion settlement – a year after Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $2.5 billion to 8,000 plaintiffs affected by the ASR implant.
According to a report in the New York Times, this is a landmark settlement for two reasons: one, the amount was reached fairly quickly, and two, it’s one of the highest over the past year from a hip implant manufacturer.
The settlement’s terms apply to patients that received either the Rejuvenate Modular-Neck or the ABG II Modular neck implants and had to go through revision surgery. Plaintiffs implanted with two Stryker devices may be eligible for up to $600,000. Unlike similar settlements, obesity, smoking, and other conditions do not lessen the amount allotted to each plaintiff.
Amounts will vary from $10,000 to $600,000 and apply to both current injuries and those incurred over the next two years. To be eligible, plaintiffs must have had the implant for at least 180 days before getting it removed, with the surgery occurring before November 3, 2014. All eligible plaintiffs must register through their attorneys with the claims administrator by January 15, 2015.
Read here to find out more about the settlement: www.strykermodularhipsettlement.com
While metal-on-metal implants have gone out of favor, these two Stryker products were in use from 2009 to 2012. After the initial surgery, patients started experiencing fretting or corroding at the joint, which led to osteolysis or bone dissolution.
As well, tests found high levels of metal ions in patients’ blood. Adverse reactions resulted in skin rash, cardiomyopathy, sensory or psychological changes, renal function impairment, or thyroid dysfunction.
Even then, for certain patients, the swelling immediately following surgery never fully went away. As a result, those given the implant experienced walking problems within five years after the procedure.
Trantolo & Trantolo’s team of lawyers handles and directs many product liability claims, like the Stryker, DePuy, and other metal-on-metal hip implants. If you think you have a case and want to speak with an experienced attorney, contact one of our four Connecticut locations.
