subject: DePuy Orthopaedics ASR Hip Device Lawsuits Approved for Multidistrict Litigation and Assigned to Northern District of Ohio [print this page] DePuy Orthopaedics ASR Hip Device Lawsuits Approved for Multidistrict Litigation and Assigned to Northern District of Ohio
The Rottenstein Law Group has learned that pretrial proceedings in lawsuits against DePuy and parent Johnson & Johnson will be consolidated in Ohio, by order of the federal Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
InIn Re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation(MDL No. 2197),the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Ligation decided five motions all addressing centralization of the pretrial aspects of litigation arising out of the recent recall of faulty hip replacement devices manufactured and marketed by DePuy, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. According to the Transfer Order issued by the Panel on Friday, The Panel considered several possible federal judicial districts, including three proposed by DePuy/J&J. Ultimately, the Panel did choose one of these: the Northern District of Ohio.
The Panel considered the pendency of eight actions as of the time the motions were made; none of the eight cases is pending in Ohio. (The Panel noted the filing of "105 additional related actions.") The Panel concluded that "centralization in the Northern District of Ohio will serve the convenience of parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation." The Panel stated further in the Transfer Order, "Centralization will eliminate duplicative discovery, prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings on discovery and other issues, and conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel and the judiciary."
Pretrial matters will be overseen by Judge David A. Katz in the Northern District of Ohio. The Panel described Judge Katz as "an experienced transferee judge with the time and experience necessary to steer this litigation on a prudent course."
