Ill. Couple Say Smith & Nephew Failed to Report Problems With Birmingham Hip Device

CHICAGO — An Illinois couple has filed a strict products liability and negligence suit against Smith & Nephew Inc. (NYSE SNN), alleging that the company failed to comply with post-approval regulatory requirements by not reporting problems with its Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System.

The couple filed their lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois March 8, claiming that manufacturing defects that led to the removal of a device implanted in Barbara Comella were “obscured” by the defendants’ failure to meet the Food and Drug Administration’s reporting requirements.

Barbara Comella says that her left hip was replaced …