Ga. Federal Judge Reduces $11 Million Verdict to $2.1 Million in Wright Conserve Hip Implant Case

ATLANTA — A Georgia federal judge has reduced an $11 million verdict issued against Wright Medical Technology Inc. in a Conserve Hip Implant System case to $2.1 million, in part finding that the $10 million punitive damage award was excessive, given that the manufacturer’s conduct did not “display an extremely high degree of malice,” or “actual intent to harm.”

In an April 5 order, Judge William S. Duffey Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia explained that while the evidence supported a finding of reprehensibility, Wright’s conduct was motivated by a desire to introduce …