How to Identify a Lfiled and Unfiled Claim

Transcription

1 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA In re: STRYKER REJUVENATE AND ABG II HIP IMPLANT PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION This Document Relates toa lactions MDL No (DW F/FLN) PRETRIAL ORDER NO.25 ORDER REGARDING REGISTRATION OF CASES AND CLAIMS The Court was informedon November 3, 2014 that a finalsettlement Agreement was enteredintobymdl Plaintiffs Co-LeadCounsel, the New JerseyMulti-County Litigation Plaintiffs Steering Committee, anddefendant Howmedica Osteonics Corp. (referredtoas Stryker Orthopaedics (hereinafter, Stryker )), on behalf of a l defendants, andthe Court having conducteda conference on November 3, 2014 during whichan overview of the proposedprivate settlement of certain Stryker Rejuvenate Modular andabg II Modular Hip Stem cases was discussedandthen placedon the record, andin furtherance of the private Settlement Agreement, the folowing order is herebyentered: IT IS HEREBY ORDERED BY THE COURT: 1. In order for this Court, the cooperating New JerseyMulticountyLitigation (Master Docket No. BER-L ), andanyother cooperating courts tomanage this litigation, as we las toassist the parties toeffectuate the provisions of the private Settlement Agreement, it is necessarytoidentifya lfiledandunfiledclaims relating to

2 the ABG II Modular NeckHip Stem or the Rejuvenate Modular NeckHip Stem ( AffectedProducts ) (suchclaims, the AffectedProduct-relatedclaims ). 2. Counselfor anyaffectedproduct-relatedcase pending in this Court and/or counselwhohave anyclients whohave claims, filedor unfiled, connectedwiththe AffectedProducts, sha l(i) identifya lclients withfiledandunfiledaffected Product-relatedclaims, whether or not involving a revision surgery, andregardless of the client s ultimate decision regarding enrolment in the Settlement Program, (ii) provide the information for eachsuchclient as set forthon the Registration Declaration and Registration List, including identifying a linterestedcounselin eachfiledcase or unfiled claim and(iii) designate the PrimaryLaw Firm andcontacts as describedbelow. The Registration Declaration for representedandunrepresentedclaimants andthe form of Registration Lists, an example of whichis attachedheretoas Exhibit A, wi lbe made available throughthe Claims Processor, The Garden CityGroup, Inc. 3. Obligations of Counsel: a. Designation of PrincipalResponsible Attorney: The registration of eachfiledcase pursuant tothis Order must designate the PrincipalResponsible Attorneyandlegalassistant for that case. The PrincipalResponsible Attorneysodesignatedsha lbe jointlyidentifiedby the PrimaryLaw Firm andinterestedcounselbyname, state bar number, business address, and address. b. Designation of PrimaryLaw Firm: For eachfiledcase pending in either state or federalcourt, there must be a single designation of 2

3 a PrimaryLaw Firm. The PrimaryLaw Firm must alsoidentifya lof the clients in whichtheyare the PrimaryLaw Firm byserving a list of a lfiled AffectedProduct-relatedclaims--whether revisedor unrevised--in which suchlaw firm, or anyattorneyat suchlaw firm, is the PrimaryLaw Firm as of the date of this Order. c. Completion andservice of Registration List: The Primary Law Firm representing clients withclaims involving the AffectedProducts must prepare a Registration Declaration andregistration List, identifying a lsuchclients as set out below in 3(B) and3(c). Toobtain a copyof the Registration Declaration andregistration List, gotothe Claims Processor website, clickon the Registration tab andfolow the instructions. Beginning November 14, 2014, the completedregistration Declaration andregistration List sha lbe submittedtothe Claims Processor (as formattedfor the accurate and efficient transfer of the requiredinformation) nolater than December 14, Tosubmit these materials, goto clickthe Registration Button andfolow the uploadinstructions. NOTE: W HILE REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY PURSUANT TO THIS COURT ORDER, UPLOADING THE REGISTRATION DECLARATION AND REGISTRATION LIST ON THE CLAIM PROCESSOR S W EBSITE IN NO W AY SIGNIFIES A CLAIMANT S COMMITMENT OR INTENT TO ENROLL IN THE 3

4 SETTLEMENT PROGRAM. NOR DOES IT SATISFY A CLAIMANT S ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS OR ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE BENEFITS UNDER THE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM. d. Information tobe ProvidedRegarding EachFiledCase: For eachfiledcase, the PrimaryLaw Firm sha lidentifyon the Registration List a lcases that are filedin these proceedings or in anyother federalor state court or tribunalin the UnitedStates in whichtheyserve as the PrimaryLaw Firm as of the date of this Order, andprovide the case and claim relatedinformation as set forthon the form Registration List. e. Information tobe ProvidedRegarding EachUnfiledClaim: The PrimaryLaw Firm sha lidentifyon the Registration List a lunfiled claims relating tothe AffectedProducts, whether or not involving a revision surgery, in whichcounselhas anyinterest, andsha linclude certain basic information about eachclaim as set forthon the requiredform. f. The PrimaryLaw Firm sha ldeclare on the Registration Declaration under oaththat (i) a lfiledcases andunfiledclaims in which theyare the PrimaryLaw Firm are identifiedon the Registration List, (ii) a linterestedcounselare identified, and(iii) that the claim-related information is accurate andcomplete. Counselsha lfurther certifyunder oaththat theyhave verifiedthat a lcases in whichtheyhave an Interest are, or wi lbe, identifiedon other Registration Lists submittedbyanother 4

5 PrimaryLaw Firm. 1 If there is anyclaim relatedtothe AffectedProducts for anyplaintiff or claimant--whether filedor unfiled, or whether or not involving a revision surgery--in whichan attorneyboundbythis Order has an interest andbelieves is not, or wi lnot be, listedon anyregistration List submittedbyanyother PrimaryLaw Firm, then suchattorneysha linclude the plaintiff or unfiledclaimant on his or her Registration List withthe information specifiedin paragraphs 3(B) and3(c) above, andsha lstate NoPrimaryLaw Firm Designated. g. Due Date for Service of Registration List: Registration wi l open on November 14, The Registration Declaration and Registration List sha lbe servedon the Claims Processor as specifiedabove nolater than December 14, h. Updates Regarding Change in Status: The PrimaryLaw Firm sha lserve an updatedreport regarding anychange in status of any Plaintiff or UnfiledClaimant identifiedon their Registration List. The updatedreport sha lbe in the form set bythe Claims Processor, andsha l include changes in status tobothunrevisedplaintiffs andunfiledclaimants andplaintiffs andunfiledclaimants withsubsequent additionalrevision surgeries. The Report sha lbe updatedon June 1 andnovember 1 of each calendar year folowing the service of the initialregistration List, andsha l 1 For purposes of registration, an electronic signature denotedby s/ is considered as binding as an originalsignature pursuant tofrcp 5(d)(3). 5

6 be servedon the Claims Processor whowi lpromptlydistribute tostryker andthe Settlement Oversight Committee ( SOC ). The updating requirement sha lcease upon June 1, ProSe Plaintiffs andunrepresentedclaimants: A lpersons who representedthemselves pro se in proceedings relating tothe AffectedProducts anda l UnrepresentedClaimants withunfiledclaims relating tothe AffectedProducts (colectively Pro Se Plaintiffs andclaimants ) sha lcomplete the Registration Declaration. The Declaration is available bygoing tothe Claims Processor website, clicking on the Registration tab and folowing the instructions. Starting November 14, 2014, the completedregistration Declaration sha lbe submittedtothe Claims Processor (as formattedfor the accurate and efficient transfer of the requiredinformation) nolater than December 14, To submit these materials, gotowww.strykermodularhipsettlement.com, clickthe Registration tab andfolow the uploadinstructions. If the Pro Se Plaintiff Claimant is not able tosubmit the forms electronica ly, s/he sha lsendthe Registration Declaration via U.S. mailpostmarkednolater than December 14, 2014: Stryker Modular Hip Settlement, c/ogcg, PO Box10130, Dublin, OH NOTE: W HILE REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY PURSUANT TO THIS COURT ORDER, UPLOADING THE REGISTRATION DECLARATION AND REGISTRATION LIST ON THE CLAIM PROCESSOR S W EBSITE IN NO W AY SIGNIFIES A CLAIMANT S COMMITMENT OR INTENT TO ENROLL IN THE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM. NOR DOES IT SATISFY A CLAIMANT S ENROLLMENT 6

7 REQUIREMENTS OR ELIGIBILITY TO RECEIVE BENEFITS UNDER THE SETTLEMENT PROGRAM. 5. Changes In Information: a. Changes in Information Regarding Attorneyor Represented Status Information: The PrimaryLaw Firm sha lserve written notice of anychanges tothe information providedon the Registration List, including but not limitedtothe acquisition or loss of PrimaryLaw Firm status for the case, anychange in information for the PrimaryLaw Firm, the Principal Responsible Attorney, or administrative contact for the case, anychange in designation of PrimaryLaw Firm status for anycase previouslylistedas NoPrimaryLaw Firm Designated, andanyother change of any information verifiedunder oath. If the change is a loss of PrimaryLaw Firm status or loss of an Interest in the case, the notice sha lalsoidentify the name of the attorneyand/or law firm, telephone number, , business address of the new representative for the Plaintiff or Unfiled Claimant or, if none, an affirmation of the Plaintiff or UnfiledClaimant s pro se status andthe telephone number, andaddress for the Plaintiff or UnfiledClaimant. Suchwritten notice must specifythe changed circumstances andbe servedwithin thirty(30) days of suchchange upon the Claims Processor. This obligation sha lterminate on June 1, b. Pro Se Plaintiffs andunrepresentedclaimants: A lpro Se Plaintiffs andunrepresentedclaimants sha lserve written notice of any 7

8 changes tothe information providedon the Registration List, including but not limitedtoanychange regarding contact information or the subsequent retention of counsel. If the change of information is the retention of counsel, the Pro Se Plaintiff or Claimant sha lprovide the attorneyname, address, telephone number and address for counsel. Suchwritten notice must specifythe changedcircumstances andbe servedwiththirty (30) days of suchchange upon the Claims Processor. This obligation sha l terminate on June 1, Enforcement: A lcounselandpro Se Plaintiffs andunrepresented Claimants are requiredtocomplywiththis Order. Failure tomeet the requirements of this Order wi lsubject non-compliant parties andcounseltoa show cause hearing as to the reason for suchfailure andmaysubject suchpartyor counseltopenalties at the Court s discretion. 7. Compliance W ithcourt Orders: Pursuant tothe Settlement Agreement, a l plaintiffs andunfiledclaimants, whether representedor unrepresentedbycounsel, who elect toparticipate in the Settlement Program agree toabide byanyorders of the court in whichthe case is filedor, if it is an unfiledclaim, bythe MDL Court proceeding in furtherance of the Settlement Agreement, including PretrialOrder No. 24 issuedbythis Court or the Order Aiding Private Settlement issuedbythe New JerseyMCL, as applicable. 8

9 8. Joint Database: The Claims Processor sha lmaintain a database of a lcases andclaims identifiedpursuant tothis Order as set forthin further detailin the final Settlement Agreement. 9. Cooperation W ithother Jurisdictions: This Order is enteredin conjunction withcoordinatedproceedings pending in the New JerseyMCL (Master Docket BER-L It is the intention of this Court toworkin cooperation withthe New JerseyMCL Court andanyother participating courts in a manner that promotes judicialeconomyandthat secures as complete a registration of a lclaims andpotential claims as possible, for use amongst the cooperating courts andtheir leadership counsel. It is alsothe intention of this Court toworkin cooperation withanyother state court or tribunalin whichclaims relating tothe AffectedProducts are pending. If there is any dispute concerning the implementation of this Order, this Court wi lcoordinate conferral among the courts for resolution of the issue, consistent withthe law of the various jurisdictions. Dated: November 13, 2014 s/donovan W. Frank DONOVAN W. FRANK UnitedStates District Judge 9