A number of cases regarding Stryker hip replacement complications are not found in U.S. District Court, but instead have been centralized at the state level in New Jersey. Thanks to efforts on both sides, settlements are continuing to be reached.

Superior Court Judge Brian R. Martinotti issued a case management order on Jan. 28 indicating that among Phase I mediations, which are designed to set the standard for future negotiations, two other New Jersey judges were able to work with plaintiffs and defendants. One Stryker hip settlement was reached on Jan. 16 and the other is close to it, following mediation on Jan. 22. Nearly all of the first group of 10 cases involving Styker metal hip implant problems have been mediated successfully, with some still awaiting plaintiffs to deal with health issues.

With Phase I wrapping up, Phase II of mediation and settlements is set to begin. A further pool of 42 cases has been whittled down for the first few months of 2014, focusing mainly on plaintiffs above age 80. One case that is likely to be included includes a 78-year-old plaintiff. These hip implant lawsuits are set for mediation beginning in mid-March. Judge Martinotti again put off discussion of a potential bellwether trial on behalf of the alleged victims and Stryker metal hip implant attorneys.

While significant progress has been made, the total number of hip implant lawsuits in New Jersey numbers nearly 400, and more are pending in U.S. District Court in Minnesota. The hope, however, is that further negotiations will create a number of benchmarks for the remaining plaintiffs and speed up the remaining process following the completion of the Phase II negotiations this year.

Many of the cases in both state and federal court revolve around the same issues: older men and women who needed a joint replacement went to surgeons who used Stryker metal hip implants. Due to their design, it is alleged that the ball and socket components “fretted” or caused metal shavings to enter the blood stream. This condition, known as metallosis, can lead to inflammation and device failure. Some patients require multiple revision surgeries to repair the damage.

The New Jersey litigation is In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate & ABG II Modular Hip Implant Litigation, Case No. 296, in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Bergen County Division. The federal Stryker hip implant MDL is In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implants Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2331, in the U.S District Court for the District of Minnesota.

If you or someone you know have dealt with problems like metallosis or others as a result of a metal on metal hip implant, you may be able to pursue a legal remedy from the medical device maker. Learn more at the Stryker Metal on Metal Replacement Hip Implant Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. You can submit your case information there and if qualified, one of our partner Stryker metal hip implant attorneys will contact you for a free consultation.