Judge: Margaret L. Oldendorf, Case: 22STCV25796, Date: 2023-03-10 Tentative Ruling
Case Number: 22STCV25796 Hearing Date: March 10, 2023 Dept: P
SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
NORTHEAST DISTRICT
This is litigation concerns hip
surgery that Plaintiff Gertrude Kladifko underwent in January 2021. The
complaint contains allegations of both medical malpractice and product
liability as to the screws used to repair the hip. A number of defendants were
added as Does and Plaintiff now seeks to file an amended pleading that better alleges
the causes of action that pertain to the particular defendant.
The original complaint names the
following parties as manufacturers, distributors, or dealers of surgical
screws: Smith + Nephew, Inc.; Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices &
Diagnostics Group Latin America LLC, dba Depuy Synthes.
The following entities have been
added as Doe defendants:
Doe 1 – Howmedica Osteonics
Corporation;
Doe 2 – Stryker Corporation.
Subsequent to the filing of this
motion for leave to amend, dismissals were filed as to all of these defendants.
The proposed Second Amended
Complaint clarifies that the first cause of action for medical negligence is
alleged against Does 11-20, the second cause of action for negligence is
alleged against Does 21-50, the third cause of action for manufacturing defect
is alleged against Does 1-10, and the fourth for negligence in supplying
defective parts is alleged against Does 1-10.
No opposition to this motion has
been filed. Relief is appropriately granted in order to better organize the
pleading in the event other manufacturer/dealer/distributor defendants are
later named.
Pursuant to Code Civ. Proc. §473(a),
Plaintiff’s motion for leave to file a Second Amended Complaint is granted.
Plaintiff is ordered to separately file the proposed pleading within five days.
Dated: _______________________________
MARGARET L OLDENDORF
JUDGE
OF THE SUPERIOR COURT