Koskie Minsky LLP, Stevensons LLP and Klein Lyons announce Stryker metal-on-metal hip implant class action

TORONTO, May 16, 2014 /CNW/ - The law firms Koskie Minsky LLP, Stevensons LLP and Klein Lyons have launched a class action against Stryker Corporation and related entities regarding Stryker's metal-on-metal hip implant systems, including the Rejuvenate and the ABG II.

The lawsuit alleges that Stryker Corporation and related entities were negligent in the research, design, manufacture, regulatory licensing, sale and post-market monitoring of their metal-on-metal hip implants, and that people implanted with the products in Canada suffered personal injuries when their hip implants failed.

A metal-on-metal implant uses metal components that come into contact with one another. In the Stryker implants, this contact takes place between modular components in the metal femoral neck and the metal stem of the device.

The lawsuit alleges that the Stryker metal-on-metal hip implants were designed and manufactured improperly and should not have been sold in Canada.

Shortly after the Stryker implants were approved for sale in Canada, there were increasing reports of premature failures with these devices. In 2012, these devices were recalled by Stryker. Despite serious and numerous reports of failure of the Stryker implants, it is alleged that no warning was provided to Canadian patients of the significant risk of failure of the Stryker implants until they were recalled.

The adverse effects caused by the Stryker implants are painful and debilitating. The Stryker implants are subject to corrosion and fretting and can cause serious adverse effects in patients. Metal debris is released into the surrounding tissue. Such heavy metals can be toxic, and may cause, tissue necrosis, metallosis, pseudotumours, bone dislocation and failure of the hip joint. Treatment may require removal of the implant, and its replacement with another device. This procedure is referred to as revision surgery.

Jonathan Ptak (of Koskie Minsky LLP), James Newland (of Stevensons LLP), and Doug Lennox (of Klein Lyons) are lead counsel in this proposed class action.

Canadians who have experienced adverse events from Stryker hip implants are encouraged to visit http://www.kmlaw.ca/strykerclassaction, email [email protected], or call 1-[phone].

Koskie Minsky LLP, based in Toronto, is one of Canada's foremost class action, labour, employment and litigation firms. Its class actions group has been a leader in class actions since 1992 and has prosecuted many of the leading cases in the area.

Stevensons LLP, based in Toronto, is a leading boutique litigation firm with expertise in complex commercial litigation, personal injury and medical malpractice, class actions, appeals, estates, employment, administrative and public interest law.

Klein Lyons, based in Vancouver and Toronto, is a leading class actions firm with significant expertise in defective drugs and medical devices class actions.

SOURCE: Koskie Minsky LLP

Media contacts: Jonathan Ptak, [phone], [email protected]; Doug Lennox, [phone], [email protected]; James Newland, [phone], [email protected]