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DePuy ASR Update: Attorney Dean Goetz Can Still Help

Recently, there has been press related to a potential settlement with DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson company.  I am monitoring the situation very closely and will provide information as more details unfold.

Bill Kransky stepping into the Pacific Ocean with his lawyers, Dean Goetz and John Gomez.
Bill Kransky stepping into the Pacific Ocean with his lawyers,
Dean Goetz and John Gomez.

Law Offices of Dean Goetz represents individuals implanted with the now-recalled ASR hip implant, manufactured by DePuy.

Dean Goetz and John Gomez were the attorneys for Loren “Bill” Kransky, the very first plaintiff in the country to go to trial. Mr. Kransky received an $8.3 million dollar jury verdict, the only Plaintiff’s verdict to date.  

Dean Goetz is currently reviewing and accepting DePuy ASR, Pinnacle, and other metal-on-metal hip cases.  If you or a loved one was implanted with defective hip implant, please call Dean today at 858-481-8844.  We are committed to bringing justice to our clients and will continue to fight for their rights.

It is not too late, if you or someone you know has been implanted with the Depuy ASR, contact Dean immediately

Not All San Diego Motorcycle Accident Law Firms Are Created Equal

Whether your son suffered brain damage and a ruptured spine in a motorcycle crash on the I-5 freeway; or a careless driver made a left turn in front of you and you suffered a fractured tibia and a fractured fibula and internal injuries such as spleen or kidney damage; or you had a driver pull out in front of you at an uncontrolled intersection and you hit the car and suffered a concussion, a fractured clavicle and a fractured arm; you want to find a reputable San Diego motorcycle accident attorney to fight for your rights.

Without an aggressive attorney on your side, the insurance company will low-ball you, delay your claim, or just simply take advantage of you. You need a lawyer who has values you can believe in and a track record for obtaining results?

Choosing a San Diego Motorcycle Accident Attorney:  Big Differences Among Lawyers

Not all motorcycle accident lawyers are created equal.

Many large firms use paralegals to handle important case work. This arrangement works well for the firms — the attorneys don’t have to do as much work! — but clients can get the short end of the stick. This isn’t to knock paralegals. But wouldn’t you really rather have a skilled lawyer handle your case.

Some law firms operate much like assembly lines. Their clients are just a number. Firms that focus on volume have a strong incentive to take the first offer and not fight for a settlement that is fair for you. Other attorneys, who are not so “volume focused,” will fight hard for you, even if that means going all the way to trial.

Ideally, your attorney:

  1. Should have experience specifically with motorcycle accident injury cases;
  2. Should be ethical, accessible, and respected by his or her peers;
  3. Should be able to point to results — i.e. big cases won and/or settlements obtained.

Attorney Dean Goetz qualifies on all three counts. He recently settled a Southern California motorcycle accident injury case for $1.25 million – the limits of the policy. Another motorcycle accident victim he represented received a $975,000 settlement (the limits of the policy were $1 million) without even going to trial.

This man wrote: “[Dean] is an amazing lawyer. I am so thankful for what he did for me. He is a hands-on attorney who fought for me when I couldn’t fend for myself. He was also able to get the doctors in the hospital to take less than 50 percent of their bills, which meant I got to keep more of the settlement money. Dean Goetz put more in my pocket because he worked every angle to get me more money.”

If you or someone you love has been hurt in motorcycle crash, connect with Attorney Goetz for a free consultation at 858-481-8844 today.

Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Device Recall – Update

As the consolidated multi-district litigation for the recalled Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular hip implants moves ahead in federal court in Minnesota, Judge Donavan W Frank will oversee the discovery process.

The newly formed MDL was established in June 2013, when a group of federal Stryker Rejuvenate, and ABG II lawsuits were transferred from federal courts all over the US, to Judge Frank’s court in Minnesota. The MDL is No. 2441.

The Stryker MDL consisted of about 40 cases when it was established. Now, the number has grown to hundreds. Plaintiffs are alleging that they have suffered injuries caused by the manufacturer’s recalled Rejuvenate and ABG II hip replacement implants. As of late September, 2013, recipients of defective implants have filed more than 600 cases in state courts and federal courts. The total number of cases is expected to climb even higher as more than 20,000 of these devices were sold in the U.S. before the recall was issued. In addition to the Minnesota MDL, a coordinated multi-county proceeding involving the Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II products is also pending in Bergen County, New Jersey. There were 382 cases pending in the New Jersey Action as of late September, 2013.
Patients who have he Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants should be on alert for symptoms of failure that require the devices to be surgically removed. Symptoms of failure might include pain, swelling, decreased mobility, and elevated levels of metals in the bloodstream.

If you or someone you love has experienced failure with the Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II modular hip implant, these devices have been recalled. Contact Dean Goetz at 858-481-8844 or John Gomez at 619-237-3490.

What to Do Immediately After a San Diego Motorcycle Accident

San Diego motorcycle accident lawyer, Dean Goetz, has fought aggressively on behalf of injured bikers for three decades and helped them to obtain large settlements and rebuild their lives.

What Should You Do Right After a Motorcycle Crash in San Diego?

  • Avoid leaving the scene;
  • Obtain emergency medical help for yourself and for anyone else who got hurt;
  • Get out of the flow of traffic and alert other motorists to your presence by using emergency flares or warning lights;
  • Call the police, especially if anyone’s been hurt (even slightly);
  • Collect information from the scene. If you’re too injured or “out of it,” ask someone else to gather information for you. This evidence could include pictures of injuries and of the crash scene as well as contact info, such as names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information, etc;
  • Avoid admitting to any guilt. When you talk to police officers, stick to the facts;
  • Keep a journal to document everything that happens after the crash, including conversations with doctors, witnesses, and insurance company representatives.
  • Speak with an experienced San Diego motorcycle accident attorney before you talk with insurance adjusters.
  • Find a motorcycle accident lawyer in Southern California who has a track record for delivering results in cases like yours.

Do Not Delay – Get Help

The longer you delay getting legal insight into your crash, the more challenging it may be to collect compensation and obtain justice. For instance:

  • The police will likely clean up the accident scene within a few hours.
  • Witnesses may soon forget what they saw.
  • Potentially liable parties may use your delay to build their defense against any claim you might make.

Attorney Dean Goetz has gotten excellent results for his clients. He recently settled a motorcycle injury case for the policy limit of $1.25 million. The case settled quickly — in less than a year. Mr. Goetz also won a six-figure verdict for a client who got hurt in a Rancho Santa Fe crash. He also obtained a $975,000 settlement for a motorcyclist hurt on Coast Highway in San Clemente.

When you work with Dean Goetz, you get direct access to him — your case will not be passed along to a secretary or a paralegal. Connect with Attorney Goetz now by calling 858-481-8844 for a free consultation. Learn about your rights and maximize your recovery.

Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Lawyers at Gomez Iagmin and the Law Offices of Dean Goetz expect a Federal MDL Judge will be appointed soon.

Attorneys Dean Goetz and John Gomez, the attorneys who got an $8.3 million dollar jury verdict for Loren Kransky in the Kransky vs. Depuy hip case, Los Angeles Superior Court Case #BC456086*, are representing people who received the Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Stem and the ABG II Modular Hip Stem.

Attorney Dean Goetz states that he and John Gomez are representing Stryker patients on a national level, meaning they are willing to represent Stryker patients from any State. They are filing cases in Federal Courts and these cases will likely be consolidated for Multidistrict litigation (MDL) soon.

On May 30th, 2013, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation heard Oral Arguments on the matter, in Louisville, Kentucky. The Judicial Panel will likely announce their decision, in the next 4-6 weeks, and create a MDL for federally filed Stryker cases and appoint the presiding Judge. At that point in time all the Stryker cases filed in Federal District Courts all over the U.S. will be consolidated and sent to the named Judge for further litigation and discovery. (In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, Case Pending No. 20 (JPML))

Plaintiffs in these cases allege pain, swelling, loosening of the implant, metallosis and other injuries stemming from the hip replacement device, which was recalled in July 2012 by Stryker Orthopaedics. (In re Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Stem and the ABG II Modular Hip Stem Litigation, No. 296) Attorney Goetz said that the damages suffered by Stryker Hip Stem patients may be even greater than those suffered by Depuy ASR patients.

Stryker Orthopaedics voluntarily recalled its Rejuvenate and ABG II hip stems on July 6, 2012. Stryker stated that company data revealed the potential for their metal components to fret and corrode at the modular-neck junction.

Stryker also advised patients who had the recall Stryker Hip Stems to see their surgeon to get blood tests and MRI’s. Stryker reports that they, “have received reports of patients with mild or no symptoms that have tested positive for elevated metal ion levels or been diagnosed with adverse local tissue reaction.” **

Stryker has also retained Broadspire Services Inc. to handle claims from patients who are having problems with their Hip Stems. Broadpsire is the same company that is working for Depuy on their recalled ASR XKL device, according to attorney Goetz.

Attorney Goetz advises Stryker patients to talk to an experienced hip recall lawyer, like himself or John Gomez, before dealing with Broadspire. The people who have the Stryker recall Hip Stems should know their rights before speaking to Broadspire or giving Broadspire an authorization to get all their medical records.

Find out more about your legal rights, statutes of limitations, how to file a lawsuit or claim against Stryker. If you have the Stryker recalled Hip Stems, for further information go to Stryker Help OR gomeziagmin.com or Call Dean Goetz @ 858-481-8844. Mr. Goetz is available to personally answer your questions on a confidential basis.

  • Kranksy vs. Depuy and Johnson and Johnson, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case #BC456086.

https://www.lasuperiorcourt.org/civilcasesummarynet/ui/index.aspx?CT=CI
** Stryker Recalled ABG II Modular and Rejuvenate Modular Hip Systems FAQs
http://literature.ortho.stryker.com/files/REJUV_COM_23.pdf

Stryker Hip Replacement Recall – Why did this happen to me and what should I do?

If you or someone you love was injured by a defective Stryker hip replacement, you’ve probably read many online articles trying to find out why Stryker sold you and your hospital and your doctor a defective hip device. What went wrong, how did it happen and what can you do about it.

  1. The Stryker Rejuvenate stem and the Stryker ABG II modular-hip neck stem are failing and have been recalled.
  1. Stryker placed some defective hip replacement products on the market without clinical testing and they have been recalled by Stryker. The FDA should change the rules and require clinical testing for ALL hip replacement devices.
  1. You have the right to file a lawsuit against Stryker for manufacturing a recalled hip replacement device (stem) and the right to obtain a recovery for the damages you have suffered and, to hopefully, stop Stryker from selling untested defective hip replacement products in the future.

Stryker Shrugs Off Hip Replacement Battles,

Wins Massive Pentagon Contract and Award from Fortune Magazine

Even though Stryker has recalled some of their hip replacement products they are still doing very well and selling lots of hip replacement products.

Stryker is doing quite well.

On August 7th the U.S. Department of Defense announced $211.5 million in new contracts to seven companies. The big winner, by all accounts, was Stryker, which collected $85.5 million from the Pentagon to provide orthopedic hip and knee implants, instruments, and related products to men and women in the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines. The big Pentagon contract goes until April of next year.

If you’ve only read the “bad press” about the company – e.g. the scary stories about recalled products, like the Rejuvenate Modular Hip System and the ABG II Modular Neck-Hip Stem – you might not realize that the company is doing so well.

But as a victim of a Failed Defective Hip Device, you need to realize that you cannot go up against Stryker alone.

When a company wrongs us – by putting out harmful products – it’s easy to focus on the bad side of that company and assume that everyone knows Stryker has wronged you. But neutral observers won’t necessarily have the same opinion.

You will need a proven effective and experienced Defective Hip Device Lawyer like Dean Goetz to obtain justice for what you have suffered if you have had to have the Stryker stem removed and replaced.

You need a Legal Team that understands this complex litigation. You need a legal team that has already obtained a $8,338,000 jury verdict on behalf of Loren Kransky in March of 2013 in a Los Angeles Superior Court room against Depuy for a recalled hip device.

San Diego products liability attorney, Dean Goetz, can answer your questions and HELP you obtain justice. Call Attorney Goetz today. He will personally take your call.

Call today to set up your appointment: 858-481-8844.

3 More Celebrity Motorcycle Accidents (with Important Lessons for Recent San Diego Crash Victims)

If you’ve recently been in a San Diego motorcycle accident – or if a friend or family member got hurt – the last thing you probably want to do is to read about other scary motorcycle crashes.

But examining celebrity accidents can be useful, because this exercise can teach us vivid safety lessons. To that end, let’s look at three more celebrity bike accidents:

1. Gary Busey, helmet skeptic, becomes helmet advocate after brain injury inducing crash.

Actor Gary Busey is known for portraying wild, iconic characters. He “lived wild” off the screen as well. In 1988, he horrifically crashed his new Harley-Davidson in Culver City, California. According to legend, Busey landed right in front of a police officer, who used Busey’s own gloves to staunch the head wound until rescue workers arrived. Doctors thought the actor would be permanently brain damaged, but Busey pulled through.

It took him several years, however, to pivot on his stance about helmets.

In 2001, Busey told the press: “riding without a helmet is a gamble everyone is bound to lose.” Recent doctor exams, however, suggest that Busey suffered more brain damage than anyone realized – and that these injuries may have contributed to the actor’s substance abuse issues.

Lesson: head injury recovery is unpredictable. Err on the side of caution, and take all head injuries very seriously. Often, doctors can prevent/stop brain trauma, if it’s identified very early.

2. Ann Margret, 1960’s sex icon, bounces back after a big crash in 2000.

In August, 2000, 59-year-old Ann Margret hit what she called “sugar sand” on a road in Brainerd, Minnesota. She came down hard on the grass. The crash fractured her left shoulder and she fractured three ribs. But she managed to pull herself together enough to serve as the Grand Marshal of a National Hot Rod Association Event the next day. She waved to hundreds and thousands of people (with her arm in a sling!), smiling despite her recent brush with death.

Lesson: sometimes, motorcycle accident victims just get lucky.

3. Ben Roethlisberger’s 2006 motorcycle crash hits “Big Ben” harder than a defensive lineman.

In 2006, the City of Pittsburgh collectively gasped in horrordismay, when Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, smashed up his motorcycle, incurring a head gash and broken jaw and nose. The collective concern turned to anger, once Steelers fans learned that “Big Ben” hadn’t been wearing a helmet and didn’t have his license with him.

Lesson: avoid playing fast and loose with the law. Wear your helmet. Carry your driver’s license with you. Follow all safety and maintenance procedures. In addition to protecting you physically, these actions can also protect you financially from fines, fees and license suspension.

If you or someone you love was recently hurt in a San Diego motorcycle accident, connect with Attorney Dean Goetz at 858-481-8844 to schedule a free case evaluation.

Stryker Hip Device Lawsuit 101 – Part II of II

In a recent blog post, we discussed the basics of Stryker hip replacement lawsuits: why they’re happening; common patient complaints; and what type of compensation is recoverable.

Today, we’ll explore the legal battle over the ABG II modular-hip neck stem and Rejuvenate products in more detail, so that you (or your loved one) can sidestep common problems that prevent people from getting fair results.

There are 3 big mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Failure to document or track your progress.

It’s hard enough to go through grueling surgery and endure a normal recovery. But if heavy metal poisoning and/or intense pain complicated your recovery, you may be too exhausted to do daily activities. But to the extent that you can document your pain and experiences, do so! The more concrete evidence that you can collect, the easier it is to take decisive legal action.

The Court will want to know when you first started feeling symptoms; what those symptoms were; how significant they were, and so forth. If you haven’t already done so, journal your symptoms and keep notes from all conversations you have with doctors or rehab specialists.

If you’re too tired or pained to journal, ask a spouse or a loved one to help. Keeping a paper trail is an excellent way to regain a sense of control about your situation. Plus, you can use your notes to identify what triggers your pain and what “home remedies” seem to give you relief.

Mistake #2: Waiting too long to seek sound medical intervention.

Unfortunately, medical care has gotten extremely expensive, everywhere.

If you lack medical insurance – or if you don’t have good medical insurance – you may be reticent to seek a doctor’s advice about ongoing hip pain and related ailments. Or maybe you’re a “stoic type” who’s determined to ride out the pain and “keep calm and carry on.”

These strategies make sense, on the surface. The trouble is that defective hip products can cause more damage if they are not removed. For instance, the metal-on-metal components in the Stryker ABG II modular-neck hip stem can grind together over time, releasing more and more toxic metals into your hip joint. Unless and until that device gets removed, the heavy metal poisoning will progressively worsen.

The moral is: seek good medical counsel, as soon as you can. Don’t just “grin and bear it.”

Mistake #3: Not seeking input from a proven successful Defective Hip attorney.

Many Stryker patients have not yet contacted a lawyer to get legal help.

Some people don’t realize that they might have a case. Others don’t want to get involved in “legal stuff” because they already have so much going on. Still others want to take action, but they’re confused about which law firm to retain for a Stryker hip claim or lawsuit.

Don’t let fear or uncertainty delay you from getting effective legal counsel. Connect with a successful proven Defective Hip Device Attorney, like Dean Goetz, to get a free consultation and make more intelligent decisions. Learn more about attorney Goetz’s background at sandiegopersonalinjuryattorney.pro, and give him a call today at 858-481-8844 to get your questions answered.

 

Stryker Hip Device Lawsuit 101 – Part I of II

Perhaps your father’s Stryker hip device failed and left him in terrible pain – unable to work around the house or enjoy his retirement. Or perhaps your Stryker Rejuvenate hip stem or ABG II modular hip stem caused heavy metal poisoning in your hip joint and created “pseudo tumors,” prompting tremendous pain and anxiety.

In either case, you want three things:

  1. To understand why these Stryker hip replacement components caused you pain and suffering;
  2. To find out what you can do to fix your medical problems; and,
  3. To obtain compensation from Stryker for your medical bills and your pain.

In a 2-part blog post, we will explain the basics about the complex legal battle over Stryker’s Rejuvenate Modular Hip Stem System and its ABG II Modular Hip Neck and Stem System.

Why Did These Medical Products Get Recalled?

As you probably already know, the Stryker Company recalled both products in July 2012. They had been on the market since 2008 – more than four years.

Both products contain cobalt, chromium and titanium components designed to mimic the body’s own connective tissues, bone, and structures. Unfortunately, many Stryker patients complained about post-operative problems, such as pain and swelling in the hip; trouble flexing the hip or walking upstairs; and clicking and squeaking sounds from the device.

More serious problems were also reported, such as hip dislocations, the formation of “pseudo” tumors, and heavy metal poisoning caused by the abrading of the metal-on-metal components.

To correct these problems, many patients need additional surgeries, which can lead to further medical complications. For instance, during surgery to extract the defective hip device, many Stryker patients have suffered femur fracturing.

Battle Plan to Obtain Compensation

An attorney representing a Stryker victim client cannot guarantee results but they will take the right case on a contingency basis, which means that only get paid if they get the client a recovery. A winning case will depend on several factors, such as:

  • The extent of the harm;
  • The amount of income or wages (past, present, and future) lost;
  • The impact of medical problems on the quality of life;
  • The quality and timeliness of the case that is prepared;
  • Decisions in other similar cases that might influence your case;

You can obtain compensation for:

  • Pain, suffering and disability;
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation;
  • Past and Future Medical expenses;
  • The cost of modifications you need make to your home or workplace to accommodate disability;
  • Nursing care;
  • Loss of wages or income
  • Loss of consortium;
  • Other damages.

Get Experienced Aggressive Lawyers For Your Stryker Case

Attorney Dean Goetz and his team have lots of experience helping Stryker defective hip patients. Call Mr. Goetz now to schedule a free, no obligation consultation: 858-481-8844.

Call Dean Goetz NOW. You can call 858-481-884 and talk to Attorney Goetz personally. Understand your options, and take decisive steps toward getting your claim resolved.

3 Celebrity Motorcycle Crashes: What They Can Teach San Diego Motorcycle Accident Victims

Celebrities, just like the rest of us, can fall victim to San Diego motorcycle accidents. Below, we report on three famous celebrity motorcycle crashes and try to learn lessons from them.

1. Bassist for The Allman Brothers Band hits a bus, a year after his bandmate’s fatal crash.

24-year-old Duane Allman died in 1971, in Macon, Georgia, when he slammed his Harley-Davidson Sportster into a flatbed truck. The accident was Rube Goldberg-esque. Allman tried to let the truck take a left in front of him, but the vehicle stopped suddenly, causing him to crash into it. The truck’s weighted ball then smashed Allman in the chest. Allman seemed fine immediately afterwards — his only visible injuries were scrapes and cuts. But he died that evening in surgery. Nearly a year later, Berry Oakley, the band’s bassist, drove his motorcycle into a bus, just a few blocks from where Allman’s crash occurred.

Lesson: history tends to repeat itself.
If you’ve been in an accident – or if you’ve had a “close call” – take a good look at what went wrong. Change your habits and behaviors accordingly.

2. Peter Fonda, so-called “Easy Rider,” torn up in three separate crashes.

Peter Fonda, a self-proclaimed motorcycle aficionado, recently bragged to the Los Angeles Times about all the bikes that he’s owned: Harley-Davidson Fat Boys, a Ducati, several Triumphs, an MV-Augusta F4 1000, and many other fantastic rides.

But he’s gotten into serious trouble, at least three times:

  • In 1964, his bike flew over a speed bump and smashed into a car. Fonda, who was wearing little more than a bathing suit, suffered back injuries, and his hip bone penetrated his skin.
  • 1n 1985, Fonda broke his neck and back in a different motorcycle accident.
  • In 1993, Fonda hit a deer head-on, an incident, that finally got him to understand the importance of motorcycle safety gear!

Lesson: don’t skimp on your safety gear.
Get into habit of suiting up appropriately. The cost benefit calculus just makes sense. A good helmet and top grade gear can be pricey. But it pales in comparison to the amount of money it takes to pay for repairing broken bones or spinal surgeries.

3. Bob Dylan’s mysterious July 29, 1966 motorcycle accident.

Singer Bob Dylan’s beautiful melodies and inscrutable lyrics have fascinated generations of song smiths. But he’s also gotten into his fair share of motorcycle accidents and scrape-ups. For instance, on July 29, 1966, he crashed his motorcycle near Woodstock, New York. Did the accident break Dylan’s back and nearly cost the singer his life? Or did he simply use the crash as a pretext to drop out of the limelight, so that he could wean himself off heroin and meth? Rumors abounded about what happened… and still nobody (save, perhaps, for Dylan himself) knows for sure.

Lesson: often, the only witness to a motorcycle accident is the rider.
This lack of perspective on the crash can create serious problems for a San Diego motorcycle accident case. Without witness statements or other corroborating evidence, you may have a hard time proving your story.

For a free, confidential consultation about your San Diego motorcycle crash, please call attorney Dean Goetz today at 858-481-8844.