Where Will Stryker Get The Money to Pay Defective Hip Replacement Plaintiffs? Perhaps from the $228 Million It Just Won from Zimmer.

You or someone you love has experienced pain, metal poisoning, false tumors, or other horrendous symptoms as a result of Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II modular-hip devices. You’re both furious and scared. Your defective hip has cost you dearly in terms of lost work time, major medical bills, and nursing and rehab costs… not to mention incalculable pain and anxiety.

So how does a company like Stryker obtain funds to compensate people like you?

Here’s one source…

The Associated Press reports that Stryker Corporation recently won $228 million in damages from a rival medical device company, Zimmer Holdings Inc. The two companies both create and market orthopedic medical devices.

Stryker took its rival to court in 2010, alleging that Zimmer engaged in patent infringement. At issue were Zimmer’s Pulsavac Plus lavage devices — instruments used in surgery to spray and suction out wounds and tissue.

After reviewing evidence, the jury found that Zimmer willfully infringed on Stryker’s patents, and it awarded Stryker $70 million in damages. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker then tripled that award, because Zimmer infringed on three separate patents. Judge Jonker came down hard on Zimmer, saying “the trial proof demonstrated that this was not a close case.” He even said that the $210 million verdict “may not be enough, without enhancement” to prevent Zimmer from infringing again, because its strategy of copying Stryker proved so lucrative. The Judge added $18 million to the $210 million to cover interest and other costs.

Zimmer plans to appeal both the judge’s ruling and the jury’s verdict.

Implications for Your Potential Legal Action Against Stryker for Defective Hip Problems

The Stryker-Zimmer feud demonstrates just how much money corporations play for when they compete in the medical device market. Companies like Stryker bring in large annual revenues. This cash flow, in part, is how they’re able to afford to litigate mass tort lawsuits. For help understanding what to do next regarding your Stryker defective hip case, call attorney Dean Goetz at 858-481-8844 to obtain a free and confidential consultation.