Stryker Kickback Lawsuit Tossed Out

A federal judge has granted Stryker Orthopaedics’ motion to dismiss a class action suit alleging the company engaged in a kickback scheme to physicians in return for their use of its hip and knee replacement products. As a result of the alleged scheme, the plaintiff, Goldene Somerville, claims she was forced to pay higher co-payments and health care premiums for hip surgeries she underwent in 2003 and 2005. The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove Stryker engaged in wrongdoing.