Who Are The W&L Attorneys Leading The Exactech Litigation?
Two of Weitz & Luxenberg’s notable attorneys are leading multidistrict litigation against Exactech, Inc.: Partner Ellen Relkin and Associate Attorney Danielle Gold. Ms. Relkin is acting as Co-Lead Counsel and Ms. Gold is serving on the Science and Experts subcommittee.
In June, the Court appointed Ms. Relkin and Ms. Gold to key roles in MDL No. 3044 – In re: Exactech Polyethylene Orthopedic Products Liability Litigation. The venue is the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
This litigation involves multiple committees and subcommittees targeting Exactech’s defective ankle, knee, and hip replacement systems.
Ellen Relkin
Ellen Relkin has been practicing law for more than 35 years. Primarily, she has dedicated her practice to representing people harmed by defective medical devices and dangerous drugs. Both New York and New Jersey consistently name her a “Super Lawyer.”
Renowned for her strong leadership capabilities, Ms. Relkin has been appointed to numerous positions in national litigation over the years, including:
- Co-Lead Counsel for In Re: JUUL Multidistrict Litigation.
- Co-Lead Counsel of the In Re: DePuy ASR Multi-District Litigation.
- Lead and Liaison Counsel for New Jersey’s In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate & ABG II Modular Hip Implant Litigation.
- · New Jersey Multicounty Litigation In Re: Stryker LFit CoCr V40 Femoral Heads and In Re: Stryker LFit V40 Femoral Head Products Liability Litigation.
- Member of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee in the In Re: Xarelto Product Liability Litigation.
- Member of Executive Committee of In Re: Invokana (Canagliflozin) Products Liability Litigation.
- Member of Executive Committee of the MDL involving the birth control patch Ortho Evra.
- Plaintiff’s Liaison Counsel in the New Jersey consolidated litigation involving Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella.
- Member of Plaintiff’s Steering Committee of the In Re: Biomet Hip Implant Litigation.
Notable victories include:
- Four global settlements with JUUL Labs resolving over 10,000 lawsuits addressing concerns about e-cigarette use among teens and children.
- $1 billion in global resolution involving Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II failed hips.
- $2.5 billion settlement to resolve DePuy ASR MDL litigation on behalf of 8,000 people harmed by of the company’s failed hip implants.
- $13.5 million verdict in McDarby v. Merckin, a case involving the arthritis and pain medication Vioxx, which increased a person’s risk for heart attacks.
Danielle Gold
Danielle Gold has been with Weitz & Luxenberg for 10 years. Along with Ms. Relkin, she has focused her practice on representing clients harmed by defective medical devices and dangerous drugs. She has distinguished herself as one of Super Lawyers magazine’s New York metro area’s “Rising Stars.”
She and Ms. Relkin are currently representing more than 150 clients in our litigation against Exactech. Previously, Ms. Gold served on the Executive Committee for an Elmiron MDL as well as Liaison Counsel for In Re: Farxiga Products Liability Litigation.
Before joining W&L, Ms. Gold served as a law clerk to a former Multi-County Litigation Judge in Atlantic County, New Jersey. The judge presided over pharmaceutical and medical device product liability cases.
Defective Exactech Models
One of Exactech’s primary knee replacement systems includes a tibial insert. This insert is composed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The company’s original device that used this insert is the Optetrak.
Other models include the Optetrak Logic and the Truliant. Each device has shown alarmingly high failure rates. The devices wear down prematurely. They pit, shred, and delaminate.
Other defective models include Connexion GXL, AcuMatch, MCS, and Novation acetabular liners. The company’s ankle Vantage replacement system is also concerning.
