Stryker Agrees to Settle Hip Implant Cases for $1 Billion

On November 3, 2014,Stryker Corp. agreed to pay $1 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits filed on behalf of patients who underwent corrective surgeries after their Rejuvenate or ABG II metal hip implants failed and caused serious medical problems.

In 2012, Stryker recalled the Rejuvenate and ABG II metal hip implants due to concerns regarding the modular-neck stems in these devices. According to Stryker, the metal-on-metal design of these implants could cause the modular-neck junction to fret or corrode, which could release tiny metal particles into a patient’s bloodstream and cause pain or swelling near the implant.

Following the recall, thousands of patients filed lawsuits against Stryker alleging that the company’s Rejuvenate and ABG II implants were defectively designed. In many cases, the plaintiffs suffered additional injuries when undergoing corrective surgeries because the recalled devices needed to be removed from the femur in a high-risk surgery that often resulted in fractures, damaged muscles and infections.

In 2013, all federally filed Stryker hip implant lawsuits were consolidated to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota in a procedure known as multidistrict litigation (MDL). That same year, lawsuits filed in state court in New Jersey were consolidated in a multicounty litigation (MCL).

The settlement reached this week will provide a base payment of $300,000 to patients who underwent revision surgery after their Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II implants failed. Those who received two recalled implants and required revision surgeries on both hips are eligible for double the base payment.

Furthermore, patients who suffer certain medical problems related to the recalled implants at any time during the next two years may be eligible to collect additional compensation. The settlement allows these victims to receive compensation for the following complications and losses should they occur in the future:

• Re-revision surgery
• Additional surgeries
• Dislocation
• Infection
• Foot drop (loss of the ability to lift the front of the foot)
• Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Death
• Lost wages

If you or a loved one suffered complications with a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II metal hip implant, you may be able to take part in this settlement and receive compensation for your injuries. To find out if you are eligible to receive compensation, contact us today.