Stryker Trident Hip Claims Federally Preempted, Wash. Federal Judge Rules

SEATTLE — State law claims brought against Stryker Corp. in connection with its Trident Hip System are preempted by the Medical Device Amendments because they seek to impose requirements that are “different from, or in addition to” those imposed by federal law, a Washington federal judge has ruled.

In a Dec. 11 order, Judge Ricardo S. Martinez of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington found the claims are not saved by their reliance on alleged violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practices because plaintiffs “must identify a specific federal regulation allegedly violated.”

In March 2005, Mary …