Fw: Some Quit Joint Replacement Settlement

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From: " Ilena Rose " <ilena@...>

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Sent: Friday, May 17, 2002 1:58 AM

Subject: Some Quit Joint Replacement Settlement

> ~~~ Thanks Onnie ~~~

>

>

>

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/health/AP-Replacement-Joint-Settlement.html

>

> Some Quit Joint Replacement Settlement

> By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

>

> Filed at 12:47 p.m. ET

>

>

> CLEVELAND (AP) -- About 120 patients who experienced faulty hip and knee

> replacements plan to opt out of a $1 billion settlement in a class action

> lawsuit.

>

> Nearly 3,500 patients nationwide who received faulty artificial joints

> made by Austin, Texas-based Sulzer Orthopedics are covered by the

> settlement.

>

> Parent company Sulzer Medica, located in Switzerland, said Thursday that

> it will negotiate to reduce the number of patients opting out of the

> settlement.

>

> Sulzer's lead counsel, Scruggs, has said that patients who choose

> to pursue litigation independently could bankrupt the company.

>

> Those who got the implants replaced without complications will each

> receive about $200,000 under the settlement. The payment will be higher

> for patients with complications. About $40,000 of each patient's share

> will go toward attorney fees.

>

> Cleveland U.S. District Judge Kate O'Malley approved the settlement last

> week following a two-day hearing.

>

> In December 2000, the company was forced to recall thousands of artificial

> joints due to a manufacturing problem that had contaminated some with an

> oily residue. The substance prevented the new joint from bonding with

> patients' bones.

>

> The agreement specifies that Sulzer Medica should pay $725 million toward

> the settlement.

>

>