Stryker Hip Replacement Recall Lawsuit News: Lead Counsel Committee Chairperson Designated Attorney Peter J. Flowers of Meyers & Flowers Law Firm

CHICAGO—The Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel Committee Chairperson, Peter J. Flowers, of Meyers & Flowers, a Chicago-based law firm, was designated in the Stryker hip replacement lawsuit according to a Federal court order filed on November 5, 2013 in the United States District Court of Minnesota. The Stryker hip replacement recall lawsuit could potentially be one of the largest medical device lawsuits in the United States. Stryker Orthopaedics has estimated costs to be up to $1.2 billion in their exposure of 31,000 devices released for a period of two and half years in America before a voluntary recall in July 2012.

Flowers will head the Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel Committee representing five other law firms in litigation throughout the United States for thousands of clients who have allegedly suffered serious complications and injuries from the recalled Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems.

“This is a big problem, many of my clients are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies and their business lives, not to mention their personal lives, have been destroyed by the painful injuries, revision surgeries and inordinate post-surgery recovery,” Flowers said. “These defective medical devices have deteriorated so many lives. My clients who are single mothers are laid up in bed for months after multiple surgeries, fractured femurs, severe pain and worse can no longer care for their families.”

Flowers has been handling cases against Stryker since 2010 when he began to receive complaints from victims suffering from issues related to the hip replacement devices, similar to the complications from the metal-on-metal friction he was dealing with in the Depuy Orthopedics of Johnson & Johnson recall lawsuit. Flowers was not surprised when the Stryker recall was announced in July 2012 because he was already representing clients suffering from these devices, while the company was still continuing to sell them.

The Stryker hip replacement devices have four components: femoral stem, modular neck, ball and acetabular cup. These are metal components that caused friction and metal shards to release toxins into the blood stream of these implanted patients.

Also, when the hip replacement is performed the stem is implanted in the femur bone. Consequently when it fails or needs to be removed the femur bone often is fractured, which prevents patients from being able to walk for six to eight months and these awful side effects are compiled on an already painful surgery and long course of rehabilitation.

“For a period of about five years, the medical device industry has flooded their products on the FDA so they could make large profits and in the process has injured thousands of people,” Flowers said. “We are recovering money that this company has essentially stolen from the people, the economy, the government and all injured parties.”

These Stryker hip replacement devices were both approved by a 510(k) through the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which means the device is categorized as “substantially equivalent” to other devices on the market and is not subjected to testing or clinical studies before being implanted in patients. Stryker did conduct post-market surveillance that surfaced the modular-neck stem was susceptible to corrosion. Known complications include:

• Blood toxicity from metal debris, potentially resulting in chronic pain, inflammation, loss of vision or hearing, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular issues, and more
• Death of surrounding tissue (necrosis)
• Hip dislocation
• Broken bones around the site of the implant
• Metallosis

“The next steps include leading the discovery and depositions to uncover the real story that led to the Stryker recall,” Flowers said. “We will be collecting the testimonies of our clients from across the country and working with law firms representing these victims to ensure that we get them the compensation and justice they deserve.”

As the Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel Committee Chairperson, Flowers will oversee and direct federal litigation representing thousands of clients and law firms involved around the country. The Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel Committee Members represent five other law firms spanning the United States.

For more information, visit http://www.strykerhipimplantlawyer.com

About Meyers & Flowers

Meyers & Flowers is a Top Law Firm in Chicago, boasting experienced, knowledgeable trial attorneys with a long resume of victories and large awards for our clients. Meyers & Flowers are currently representing clients from across the country in litigation against Stryker over injuries sustained from using their Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems. Stryker failed to inform our clients and their physicians of the dangers of their devices and, as a result, they suffered a variety of injuries and great pain. Meyers & Flowers has the expertise and experience to pursue the prosecution of large-scale litigation. Our attorneys have successfully won mass settlement cases against negligent or criminal device manufacturers. http://www.meyers-flowers.com

About Peter Flowers

RSUIT OF JUSTICE

Attorney Peter J. Flowers is partner in the firm of Meyers & Flowers in Chicago. He has represented countless families whose lives have been tragically changed because of medical malpractice, catastrophic injuries from workplace injuries and automobile accidents, and from defective products. His hands-on approach to litigation has earned Flowers tremendous results and numerous honors over the years. He’s been named an Illinois Super Lawyer in the area of medical malpractice, and recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois by his peers, a distinction earned by only 5% of the state’s lawyers. He is a member of both the Million Dollar Advocate Forum, for resolving many cases in excess of $1 million, and the elite Verdict Club Society, which includes top attorneys from around the United States. Pete is an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and over the years has served in a number of leadership positions.

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For more information:

Gemma Cunningham

949-637-4296

gemma949@yahoo.com

Denise Carson

310-890-8360

denisecarson@gmail.com