AP Study On Vaccine Court

The AP conducted a study on the National Vaccine Compensation Injury Program. For those of us who practice in this field, some of the findings were not news. The study brings to light some of the problems of the intention of the Program and the realities of what it has become-a system full of red-tape that creates major burdens to achieving quick justice.

For more on the story, click on the link here.

NCAA Concussion Lawsuit Featured On CNN

CNN did a special report on college athletes, their injuries and the proposed settlement agreement in the NCAA Concussion lawsuit.

To view the video, click here.

STRYKER HIP SETTLEMENT REACHED

Yesterday, Stryker agreed to settle thousands of hip cases filed over its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck implants. The agreement was presented to Judge U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank in Minnesota. He is the presiding judge over the Stryker MDL.

More than 5,000 people in 39 states filed product-defect cases against Stryker over its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck implants. The two models two models are ceramic-on-metal, modular-neck femoral hip implants. The models are different from the ASR and Pinnacle products, because they are not metal-on-metal in the traditional ball-in-cup sense.

Around 2,100 lawsuits are currently pending in New Jersey state court, while approximately 1,800 are pending in the MDL.

Stryker and its hip-implant subsidiary, Howmedica Osteonics, voluntarily pulled the two hip models off the market in 2012 after patients complained of pain and swelling from the devices. Blood and other medical tests revealed many patients with the implant had gotten metallosis, a toxic dose of metal in the blood caused by fraying and erosion of the implant.

The damages in the cases are not capped, and the company’s estimate of $1.425 billion in total payouts is considered a conservative estimate. Only patients whose artificial hips were replaced before Monday are eligible for the ­settlements, though a second round of settlements may be announced in the future.

If you or a loved one have had hip replacement surgery and have been implanted with a defective Stryker hip, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other injuries. Pittman, Dutton & Hellums, P.C., is currently investigating claims for those people who have been implanted with Stryker hip replacement devices. If you would like a free case evaluation, please contact Booth Samuels at toll free 1-866-515-8880 or at booths@pittmandutton.com.