For patients who have received a hip replacement, the outcome expected may be to move easier and without pain. For the recipients of a Stryker ABG II or Rejuvenate hip implant, however, the new outcome may be a settlement of $300,000. The Stryker implants were documented to cause corrosion, illness, pain and swelling, and even metal debris found in victims’ blood. They were recalled in 2012.
According to an announcement made on November 3, the Kalamazoo-based Stryker agreed to a global settlement program for those who have received the implant and had surgery for revision prior to November 3, 2014. Stryker made the ultimate decision to settle instead of going to trial for each case, already setting aside more than $1.4 billion for settlement costs, although there is no cap for overall funds awarded.
The minimum award of $300,000 to each victim is said to be the largest ever in failed hip replacements litigation and comes with few reductions. Qualified victims are also privy to future compensation over the next two years, even if their case is settled presently. “For the victims of the faulty Stryker hip replacement, this announcement is only a small victory,” said Levin Papantonio lawyer, Daniel Nigh. “We are hopeful that this swift settlement will help to alleviate the suffering and inconvenience that Stryker has caused.”
Registration for victims is set to begin in December 2014. Payments will begin to be awarded as early as June 2015, with enhanced payments to be awarded in late 2015 or early 2016.