Exactech Lawsuit

In October 2024, Exactech filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in response to mounting lawsuits against the company. The bankruptcy filing has paused ongoing litigation against the company.

As of March 2025, there were 1,840 Exactech lawsuits pending in multidistrict litigation before the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York. So far, no trials or approved settlements in MDL 3044 exist.

The court modified the bellwether trial schedule earlier in October 2024:

• The Tarloff trial was set to start on Sept. 29, 2025.
• The Larson trial was scheduled to begin on Nov. 10, 2025.

However, Exactech’s bankruptcy filing may further affect these trial dates.

The plaintiffs in the Exactech lawsuit seek compensation for injuries related to joint replacement devices. In March 2023, the FDA reminded medical providers and the public about the defective packaging for many of Exactech’s joint replacement devices manufactured between 2004 and August 2021. Defective packaging could cause the devices to degrade early, leading to revision surgery.

Exactech lawsuits are product liability claims asking that Exactech compensate those injured by the company’s defective knee, ankle and hip implants. In 2021 and 2022, Exactech recalled its Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Knee and Ankle Polyethylene Inserts manufactured between 2004 and August 2021 because product packaging was not up to specifications. Truliant knee, Optetrak knee and Vantage ankle devices used these inserts.

“The defective bags were missing one of the oxygen barrier layers that protect devices from oxidation, a chemical reaction with oxygen that can degrade plastics over time. Oxidation can lead to accelerated device wear/failure, and component cracking or fracture, all leading to corrective revision surgery,” according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s March 23, 2023, safety communication.

In June 2021, Exactech recalled some GXL liners used in MCS, Acumatch and Novation hip implants because of premature and excessive wear. However, the company didn’t provide a reason for the wear problems. In August 2022, the company expanded its original recall to include all devices with plastic components packaged in defective bags.

By March 2024, Exactech voluntarily recalled its Equinoxe Shoulder System implants for the same packaging defects.

Exactech Lawsuit Settlements

Some lawyers estimate a potential Exactech lawsuit settlement to be between $100,000 and $300,000. This projection is based on knee replacement settlements from past lawsuits. A claimant could receive a smaller or larger settlement depending on the injuries claimed.

So far, there have been no court-approved settlements for Exactech lawsuits. Typically, bellwether trials determine potential settlement amounts. The first bellwether trial is scheduled for June 2025.

People are filing Exactech lawsuits to get compensation for damages incurred because of potentially defective Exactech hip, knee or ankle implants. They claim Exactech knew these products were faulty, but the company still sold them, making it guilty of negligence, among other claims.

According to Exactech’s April 2022 Urgent Medical Device Correction letter, at least 143,484 potentially defective inserts were implanted in the U.S. These devices could have put tens of thousands of Americans at risk of early failure after Exactech knee or ankle replacements.

Injuries Claimed in Exactech Lawsuits

Those who received a recalled Exactech implant could face many painful complications. When devices fail early, symptoms may include pain, bone loss and problems with mobility. Sometimes, the only way to correct these issues is through revision surgery.

“Recipients of the Optetrak knee implants have required painful revision surgeries well before the estimated life expectancy of the devices, and at a much higher rate than should reasonably be expected for devices of this kind,” according to one Exactech lawsuit filed by Joseph D. Sexton and his wife, Corrine.

Case Study: Michael Giordano’s Injuries From a Faulty Knee Replacement

Michael Giordano of Woodbury, Conn., had surgery to replace his left knee on Jan. 20, 2015. The operation was performed at a hospital in New York City known for its expertise in joint surgeries. During this operation, Giordano received an Exactech knee implant that had previously been recalled due to safety concerns.

If you received a recalled Exactech knee, hip or ankle implant and had surgery or your health care provider advised you to have surgery, you may qualify to file an Exactech lawsuit. Check your medical records or speak with your orthopedic surgeon to verify the implant you received.

If you are unsure what brand of implant you have, you can seek the assistance of a product liability lawyer. Lawsuits include devices manufactured between 2004 and August 2021.

Exactech advised doctors to contact patients who were implanted with recalled devices. But if you haven’t received a call from your doctor, contact their office to schedule a follow-up appointment.

If you suffered complications or injuries from an Exactech replacement, schedule an evaluation with your doctor. If you received a recalled implant, contacting your doctor, regardless of any current problems, is a good idea. Some people may not have symptoms even if the device is degrading prematurely.

Your doctor may schedule surgery if the implant is causing problems or has failed. However, the FDA doesn’t recommend surgery for people who aren’t having issues with their implants.

Exactech offers direct compensation to those affected by recalled implants, but signing any paperwork with Exactech may prevent you from filing a lawsuit against them. Before contacting Exactech, speak to a lawyer about your legal rights. Lawyers typically offer free case evaluations without obligation for people injured by Exactech knee, hip or ankle implants.

Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.