Stryker Orthopaedics, a large manufacturer of medical devices, has provided thousands of patients with hip implants over the years. Last July, however, Stryker recalled two of its hip implants, the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular Hip Stem. The hip implants have been recalled because of its metal-on-metal design, which wear away over time. This can result in the release of toxic metal ions into the body, which can result in serious injuries.
Manufacturers of medical devices owe the users of its products a duty that the product is safe and well designed. When a manufacturer breaches that duty, the users of the device may have a strong products liability case against them. The users of the recalled product may be entitled to damages for medical expenses including medication, doctor’s visits and additional revision surgery; pain and suffering, including physical, emotional, and mental suffering; and compensatory damages, such as the cost of home healthcare following surgery, and income lost due to the injury, among other types of damages.
Following the July recall of the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular Hip Stem, 51 lawsuits have been filed in counties throughout New Jersey so far. Just this week, the Court has decided to consolidate these claims and they have now been centralized in Bergen County.
Source: Court Consolidates Suits Over Recalled Stryker Hip Implants, New Jersey Law Journal, January 31, 2012
