BHR MDL Judge Outlines Procedures for Parties’ Ex Parte Contacts with Surgeons

BALTIMORE — The judge presiding over the BHR hip implant MDL has granted in part Smith & Nephew’s motion to limit the scope of plaintiffs’ ex parte contacts with treating physicians, ruling that the plaintiffs must disclose “within a reasonable time” any communications with any treating doctor and provide details of those communications.

However, in the June 20 order, Judge Catherine Blake of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland refused to limit the plaintiffs’ ex parte contacts to non-liability issues. The judge further ruled that S&N may engage in ex parte contacts with treating doctors, but only …