Iowa Federal Court Grants Wright Medical’s Motion to Dismiss Untimely Warranty Claims

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A federal judge has dismissed breach of warranty claims asserted by the recipient of Wright Medical Technology (NYSE: WMGI) Lineage hip components, saying they were filed beyond Iowa’s five-year statute of limitations for product liability causes of action.

Judge Linda R. Reade of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa also ruled April 22 that plaintiff Christopher Sparks could pursue punitive damages based on other underlying counts.

Sparks alleges that he received a total right hip replacement on Nov. 11, 2002, when his surgeon implanted a Lineage/Transcend cobalt chromium liner and a Lineage/Transcend …