Wright Responds to Manufacturing Defect, Warning Claims in Profemur Hip Case

HARTFORD, Conn. — Wright Medical Technology Inc. has denied allegations in a Connecticut federal lawsuit that it defectively manufactured its Profemur Z hip and did not adequately warn surgeons of the device’s risks.

In a Sept. 28 answer filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, Wright also asserted several affirmative defenses, in which it contends that the claims are expressly and impliedly preempted by federal law and barred by the learned intermediary doctrine.

Edward Karazin underwent total hip replacement surgery on March 30, 2005, during which his surgeon implanted Wright’s Profemur Z artificial hip system.