Fla. Federal Judge Denies Remand, Dismisses Physician in Stryker Trident Hip Case

TAMPA, Fla. — A federal judge has denied a Florida plaintiff’s motion to remand his action against Stryker Orthopaedics Corp. (NYSE: SYK) to state court after concluding that the in-state defendant physician was improperly joined.

Judge James S. Moody Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida ordered Paul E. Lederman’s claims against Dr. Alan L. Valadie dismissed without prejudice April 10, leaving complete diversity between Lederman and the Stryker defendants.

However, Judge Moody also ordered Lederman to respond to a pending motion to dismiss by Stryker and Howmedica Osteonics Corp. by April 22.

Lederman, 49, …