Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley Attorney Appointed to Plaintiff's Steering Committee for Stryker Hip Implant Litigation

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- South Florida law firm Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA (Searcy Denney) announced today that C. Calvin Warriner, a shareholder at the firm, was appointed to the newly established Plaintiff's Steering Committee for the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implant Multi-County Litigation in New Jersey.

Warriner was appointed by Judge Brian R. Martinotti, who presides over the New Jersey Superior Court case in Bergen County, N.J. Warriner will be among the leaders of the group of attorneys who have filed more than 50 cases against Stryker Orthopaedics parent company Howmedica Osteonics Corporation, based in Mahwah, N.J. Warriner himself has filed cases from plaintiffs in 11 states, including the first lawsuit against the company.

Judge Martinotti's appointment of Warriner occurred during the court's first case management conference, following the New Jersey Supreme Court's designation of Multi-County Litigation and its appointment of Judge Martinotti to oversee the litigation, which was held February 20. Also during that conference the court set into motion several pre-trial deadlines that will move this litigation forward.

"Based upon everything we've seen to date, I anticipate this litigation briskly moving toward resolution in New Jersey," Warriner said. "I really look forward to working with my good friend Ellen Relkin, who was appointed Liaison Counsel for this litigation."

Plaintiffs across the country allege that Stryker's now recalled newest hip implant innovation as defective and endangered the safety of patients due to metallosis related failures. The company issued a recall of the products on July 4, 2012 after receiving multiple reports of the premature failure of the devices.

Patients implanted with the hip devices suffered from heavy metal ion contamination and poisoning caused by fretting and corrosion of their devices. Plaintiffs have undergone multiple revision surgeries, face chronic pain and bone necrosis and many face a lifetime of limited mobility.

"My selection to the Steering Committee will enable me to help shape the course of this litigation and hopefully bring some semblance of justice to these injured patients," Warriner said. "These patients trusted Stryker to provide them with a safe, reliable hip implant that as promised would last for decades."

About Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA:
A nationally recognized trial law firm, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. is committed to protecting victims of negligence, defective products and corporate wrongdoing.  Over the past 35 years, the firm has represented clients in courtrooms throughout Florida and across the nation.

For more information, contact Lee Betancourt at (202) 973-5323 or [email protected].

SOURCE Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA