Update: New Jersey Supreme Court Establishes MCL for Stryker LFIT Lawsuits
June 5, 2017 – The New Jersey Supreme Court has approved a request to consolidate state lawsuits filed by plaintiffs alleging complications from the Stryker LFIT Anatomic Cobalt Chromium V40 Femoral Head. The request follows a bid for multidistrict litigation (MDL) status in January by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML).
What’s the Problem?
On September 27, 2016, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a hazard alert regarding Stryker LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 femoral heads after the devices were linked to numerous reports of failure of the taper lock, the place where the femoral head of the hip implant connects to the femoral neck. TGA noted that patients and orthopedic surgeons should be concerned about the following potential complications in patients who received Stryker LFIT V40 femoral heads:
- Loss of mobility
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR)
- Dislocation
- Joint instability
- Broken bones around the hip implant
- Leg length discrepancy
- The need for revision surgery
Which Products are Affected?
The following modular hip implants were specifically noted in the Australian safety notification:
Catalog Number Head Diameter Offset
6260-9-236 36mm +5
6260-9-240 40mm +4
6260-9-244 44mm +4
6260-9-340 40mm +8
6260·9-440 40mm +12
6260-9-344 44mm +8
6260-9-444 44mm +12
What is the Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head?
The LFIT V40 femoral heads are made of a cobalt and chromium alloy, which are designed to be used during hip replacement surgery. The devices are utilized in a number of Stryker modular hip implant devices including the Accolade TMZF and Accolade stems, as well as Meridian and Citation stems. Models noted in the Australian hazard alert were manufactured prior to 2011.
Has a Class Action Been Filed?
The problems with Stryker LFIT V40 femoral heads have only recently surfaced, and no class action lawsuit has yet been filed over injuries alleged from the devices. However, complaints filed over Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants, which were recalled over similar safety concerns in July 2012, were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 13-2441) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. In 2013, Stryker submitted a securities filing estimating that the company could spend up to $1.13 billion to resolve lawsuits in the litigation.
Stryker Moves to Settle Rejuvenate, ABG II Hip Litigation
May 16, 2017 – At least 95% of eligible patients have registered for a settlement program intended to resolve product liability lawsuits filed over injuries alleged from Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular-Neck hip stems. The company has indicated that it will soon begin making payments to eligible parties.
MDL Court Schedules Initial Conference in LFIT V40 Litigation
April 28, 2017 – The Stryker LFIT MDL is about to get underway, with the proceeding’s Initial Status Conference scheduled for May 16, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. Topics to be addressed include Plaintiffs’ leadership structure, potential objectives for the litigation, and the scheduling of upcoming status conferences.
LFIT V40 Femoral Head Lawsuits Consolidated in Massachusetts
April 10, 2017 – The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has transferred dozens of lawsuits alleging injuries from hip replacement systems featuring Stryker LFIT V40 femoral heads into the U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL). JPML announced its decision Wednesday, consenting to a petition filed by patients who claim that Stryker LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 femoral heads are defective.
Massachusetts Woman Sues Over Complications from Stryker LFIT Femoral Head
March 29, 2017 – A woman from Massachusetts who allegedly suffered metallosis and trunnionosis (corrosion) in her hip joint from a defective LFIT V40 femoral head has filed a products liability lawsuit against Stryker Corp. These complications required the plaintiff to endure extensive painful rehabilitation, and she is charging Stryker with designing an allegedly defective medical device in the Stryker LFIT V40 femoral head.
Federal Stryker LFIT V40 Lawsuits May Be Consolidated into MDL
February 23, 2017 – Plaintiffs’ lawyers have requested multidistrict litigation (MDL) status for lawsuits involving the Stryker LFIT Anatomic Cobalt Chromium V40 Femoral Head. They are recommending the District of Massachusetts for the MDL because it provides an easily accessible location, the venue can handle a high volume of cases, and it has very experienced judges.
Alaska Couple Files Stryker LFIT V40 Lawsuit
February 15, 2017 – A couple from Alaska has filed a products liability lawsuit against Stryker Corp. over injuries alleged from the LFIT V40 hip implant. According to the lawsuit, problems with the Accolade TMZF femoral stem and LFIT V40 Head forced the Plaintiff to undergo painful hip revision surgery, during which the surgeons found multiple complications associated with the components.
Lawyers Request MCL for Stryker LFIT Litigation
February 13, 2017 – Plaintiffs lawyers are seeking multicounty litigation (MCL) status in New Jersey for lawsuits alleging injuries from the Stryker LFIT Anatomic Cobalt Chromium V40 Femoral Head. The proposed venue for the litigation is Bergen County, where at least 25 cases are currently pending. Court records indicate that filings have recently increased, with at least 85 cases filed in courts across the U.S.
Do I Have a Stryker LFIT V40 Hip Implant Lawsuit?
The Class Action Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Stryker LFIT V40 Hip Implant lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury cases in all 50 states.
Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you suffered damages or injuries from a Stryker hip implant, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a lawsuit and we can help.