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Formation
Active Litigation
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<45
45–55
55–70
70+
Metal-on-Metal Hip
ClosedFLATMDL 2244Device
4,000+
Total Cases
Causation
Metal-on-metal hip implants generate cobalt and chromium debris particles through normal joint articulation. These metallic ions cause metallosis (metal poisoning), pseudotumor formation (inflammatory masses), osteolysis (bone destruction), and soft tissue necrosis. Elevated blood cobalt levels cause systemic symptoms including cognitive decline, cardiomyopathy, thyroid dysfunction, and tinnitus. The DePuy ASR system had a failure rate exceeding 40% at 10 years — far above the 5% threshold considered acceptable. Internal documents show manufacturers knew of excessive wear rates before market release.
Defendants
| Entity | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DePuy Synthes (J&J) | Manufacturer | ASR XL and Pinnacle MoM hip systems — largest defendant; USD 2.5B+ in settlements |
| Stryker Corporation | Manufacturer | Rejuvenate and ABG II hip stems — recalled 2012; USD 1.4B settlement |
| Zimmer Biomet | Manufacturer | Durom Cup — recalled 2008; settlement program established |
| Smith & Nephew | Manufacturer | Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) — metal-on-metal design |
| Wright Medical (Stryker) | Manufacturer | Conserve and Profemur hip systems — acquired by Stryker 2020 |
Litigation Timeline
2008
Zimmer recalls Durom Cup due to high failure rate
Jul 2012
Stryker recalls Rejuvenate and ABG II hip stems
Nov 2013
DePuy ASR — USD 2.5B settlement for 8,000+ claims
2016
DePuy Pinnacle bellwether — USD 1.04B verdict (later reduced)
2017
Stryker pays USD 1.4B to resolve Rejuvenate claims
2020-2026
Remaining claims mostly resolved; monitoring for late-presenting injuries
Intelligence Signals
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Key Facts
- Status
- active
Geographic Exposure
·N.D. Ohio (MDL 2244, Judge Katz — DePuy ASR)
·N.D. Tex. (DePuy Pinnacle MDL 2244)
·D. Minn. (Stryker Rejuvenate MDL)
·Nationwide filing — all major jurisdictions
·International — UK, Australia group actions
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Had a metal-on-metal hip implant (DePuy ASR, Pinnacle, Stryker Rejuvenate, Zimmer Durom, or similar)
- ✓Experienced metallosis, pseudotumor, or elevated blood cobalt/chromium levels
- ✓Required revision surgery to replace metal-on-metal implant
- ✓Suffered bone loss, tissue necrosis, or implant loosening