Spinal Elements Prevails in La Federal Broken Orthopedic Screw Action

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that a Spinal Elements cage used in a spinal fusion procedure caused an orthopedic screw to break, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove essential elements of his Louisiana Products Liability Act claims.

On Aug. 5, Judge Sarah Vance of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana said the plaintiff failed to present evidence that the cage was defective or that Spinal Elements failed to warn the plaintiff or his surgeon of the device’s risks.

Shane Barber underwent spinal fusion on May 19, 2015, during which …