Fla. Federal Lawsuit Targeting NuVasive Spinal Screw System Dismissed

MIAMI — A Florida federal judge has dismissed an action targeting NuVasive Inc.’s SpheRx spinal screw system, finding the plaintiff failed to specifically allege how the device was defectively designed or manufactured.

On Nov. 5, Judge Robert N. Scola Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida further held that the plaintiff’s negligent failure-to-warn claim is defeated by the learned intermediary doctrine.

Karen Shapiro underwent spinal surgery in July 2010 during which her surgeon used the NuVasive SpheRx DBR II Spinal System and inserted a number of polyaxial screws into her spine.

In 2017, an X-ray …