Last month, four different Stryker hip implant lawsuits in New Jersey were settled in mediation. This development could lead to more cases being resolved in this manner. Recently, news articles stated that the New Jersey judge overseeing hundreds of these claims will order 10 additional cases to mediation. The hope seems to be that many of these claims could be resolved in this manner. If so, it could provide benefits both for the consumers who have been badly injured and for the manufacturer of these products.
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against Stryker and its parent company, Howmedica Osteonics Corp. because of alleged defects in different artificial hip implant products. One of those products is known as the Rejuvenate hip implant. The Rejuvenate product is supposed to act as a natural hip and it is supposed to last between 15 and 20 years after it is implanted. Unfortunately, there have been more than 1,000 reports of negative results by patients based on the failure of these products. These failures have led to much in the way of pain and suffering and the need for additional surgeries. These losses have led to the filing of these lawsuits.
About Mediation
Mediation is an alternative form of dispute resolution that exists within the legal world. It involves a neutral third party guiding the two sides of a legal matter towards a negotiated settlement. In this situation, a mediator will work with an injured consumer and the manufacturer of the Stryker hip implant product. If the two sides are able to come to an agreement, that particular claim will be dismissed and the consumer will receive his or her settlement.
This process can provide the consumer with the benefit of receiving compensation sooner than if he or she went all the way through a trial. Some of these cases can take years to resolve. In the meantime, the defendant can benefit from mediation because that corporation will avoid the massive expense of defending itself in court. These expenses include enormous legal fees and costs associated with expert witnesses. If it’s likely that a verdict at trial will favor a consumer, the defendant will most likely be willing to settle.
What It Means For You
It’s estimated that as many as 20,000 of these Stryker hip implant products were used on patients before they were recalled in 2012. Therefore, it’s possible that many more people will encounter serious problems as a result of using them. If this includes you or someone you love, you need to take action. It’s clear that Stryker and its parent company are beginning to work towards resolving these claims.
The best way to take action is to make sure that you have legal representation. Taking this step will ensure that you are making the best decision possible for your situation. If you would like to learn more about your legal rights and options, contact the Stryker hip replacement lawyers at Parilman & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation.
