Mo. Federal Judge Transfers DePuy Knee Replacement Case to Kansas

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri federal judge has transferred a DePuy knee replacement action to Kansas, ruling that the claims do not have sufficient connections to Missouri and therefore specific jurisdiction is lacking.

On June 3, Judge Nanette Laughrey of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri found the plaintiffs do not allege that DePuy and Johnson & Johnson’s activities were directed at them in Missouri or that plaintiffs’ connection with defendants otherwise enhanced the defendants’ contacts in that state.

Missouri resident Julie Mitchell underwent a left-sided total knee replacement surgery on April 4, 2017, at …