U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade on Tuesday, reduced the verdict in the second bellwether trial over Johnson & Johnson’s Pinnacle hip implant from $497.6 million to approximately $151 million. The judge was compelled to reduce the verdict under a Texas state law limiting punitive damages according to a specific formula. The verdict included roughly $360 million in punitive damages in addition to $140 million in compensatory damages. While Plaintiff’s counsel believes the Texas law is unconstitutional, as it stands it was expected that the judge would reduce the verdict to comply. The judge also denied J&J’s attorneys’ motion to set aside the verdict and order a new trial.
There are currently approximately 8,400 lawsuits pending for damages sustained by the Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant. The claims allege that the hip implants contain design flaws which result in shedding of metal ions into the bloodstream and can cause tissue death, bone erosion and cobalt poisoning. The next bellwether trial is set to begin in September of this year.
Showard Law Firm is currently accepting Pinnacle hip implant claims. If you or a loved one have suffered injury due to a defective hip implant contact us today for a free consultation.
