6th Circuit Affirms Ruling Limiting 'Common Benefit' Fees in $1 Billion Settlement

CINCINNATI - A 6th Circuit panel on Feb. 22 rejected challenges by two law firms seeking to increase the amount of 'common benefit' fees awarded them pursuant to the $1 billion class settlement of hip-implant claims against Sulzer Orthopedics Inc. In re: Sulzer Orthopedics, Inc., No. 03-4155/4156 (6th Cir.).

As part of the settlement, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio approved a contingency fee award of 32 percent of the settlement and reserved an additional $50 million for payment of 'common benefit' fees to plaintiff firms and attorneys whose work benefited the class a whole.