This week, Kalamazoo, Michigan-based Stryker Corporation agreed to make payments to thousands of individuals injured by its Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implant devices that may reach $1.4 billion or more. The devices, manufactured by Stryker subsidiary Howmedica Osteonics Corp. and marketed under the names Rejuvenate and ABG II, were recalled in 2012 due to high failure rates related to tissue damage caused by corrosion and fretting of the devices metal components.

Approved for sale in the U.S. in 2008, the Rejuvenate device was implanted in an estimated 20,000 patients before Stryker issued a recall in July 2012 that also included its ABG II product, another modular stem design. Typically, hip implants are expected to last 15 to 20 years, but some Rejuvenate patients suffered failures in less than 2 to 3 years.

The settlement calls for base awards of $300,000 for each failed hip device, and enhanced awards for certain complications suffered during surgical removal and replacement. Only persons who have had the Rejuvenate or ABG II device removed and replaced or those too ill to undergo revision surgery are entitled to compensation under the settlement agreement.

Sommers Schwartz attorney Rob Sickels, himself a double hip implant recipient, is successfully representing injured patients against Stryker and continues to investigate potential claims. He has produced a series of short videos discussing the problems associated with the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II products, the pain and injury resulting from their allegedly defective design, and the action that patients implanted with the devices should take to pursue their rights. You can watch the videos and get additional information by visiting the Stryker Defective Hip Implant page on the Sommers Schwartz website.

If you or someone you care about was implanted with a Stryker Rejuvenate or Stryker ABG II hip implant and are experiencing decreased mobility, inflammation and swelling, hip joint dislocation, hip joint infection, or severe pain in the hip, groin or thigh, you have only a limited window of time to pursue your right to recover under the settlement deadlines. Call us today at (248) 355-0300 for a free consultation to discuss your situation!