According to Dr. Shezad Malik, founder of the Dr. Shezad Malik Law Firm, lawsuits filed against Stryker concerning the Rejuvenate hip device, allege Stryker knew or should have known about the risks associated with use of the hip implant.
• Stryker Rejuvenate lawsuits sit at approximately 4,000 cases nationwide. There are around 2,000 cases in the federal MDL and another 2,000 in state court in New Jersey.
• According to Dr. Malik, 21 cases in New Jersey state court were sent for mediation, with 20 settled through that process. To keep the process moving in case mediation does not settle future cases, bellwether trial dates are scheduled for June and July 2015. For now, however, the judges are pushing mediation as a way to resolve cases informally.
• Lawsuits filed concerning Stryker Rejuvenate allege that the metal-on-metal hip replacement device was defectively designed. The hip replacement implants were recalled in July 2012 following reports of corrosion and premature device failure. Among health problems faced by patients who received a device were metallosis, muscle and tissue damage, loosening of the prosthesis, release of metal ions, and local absorption of cobalt and chromium causing inflammation and systemic effects.
• Dr. Malik estimates that more plaintiffs will come forward as their devices fail. Approximately 20,000 hip devices were implanted in patients, meaning the class of plaintiffs could grow substantially. It is not too late to file a lawsuit.
• Stryker Rejuvenate was approved for the market through the 501(k) process, in which companies can have a device fast-tracked for approval if they show their device is substantially similar to other devices already on the market. In this situation, the devices are not required to undergo rigorous testing before being approved.