Judge Overseeing NexGen Knee MDL Orders Completion of Bellwether Trials Before End of 2018

CHICAGO — The Illinois federal judge overseeing the NexGen Knee Implant multidistrict litigation has ordered that all bellwether trials must be completed before the end of 2018 and directed the parties to take steps toward mediation.

In an Aug. 18 ruling, Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ordered that selection of bellwether trials should generally be representative of the three types of cases remaining, but within those groups should be at random.

The judge said she will entertain the possibility of multiple-plaintiff trials only if issues of liability and damages are …