MDL NO. 3172
IN RE: CARTIVA SYNTHETIC CARTILAGE IMPLANT PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION
Case number 4:26-md-03172-KGB is the master docket in the Eastern District of Arkansas. This matter and all related cases are assigned to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker.
Background
The cases concern alleged defects in the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant, which is a hydrogel implant designed to treat arthritis at the base of the big toe. On February 5, 2026, the United States Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) found that actions in this litigation involve common questions of fact and that centralization in the Eastern District of Arkansas will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and conserve judicial resources. The JPML transferred the matter to the Eastern District of Arkansas and, with the consent of the Court, assigned the cases to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.
Contacts
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker Chambers | 501-604-5420 |
| Tracy Washington, Courtroom Deputy | 501-604-5424 |
| Tammy Downs, Clerk of Court | 501-604-5351 |
| Crystal Newton, Chief Deputy Clerk | 501-604-5355 |
| Brady Hibbs, MDL Clerk | 501-604-5356 |
Email Contact: MDL-3172@ared.uscourts.gov
Plaintiffs’ MDL Lead and Liaison Counsel
| Name and Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
| Paul J. James, MDL Liaison Counsel James & Carter, PLC 445 Baxter Avenue, Suite 275 Little Rock, AR 72202 |
501-372-1414 | pjj@jamescarterlaw.com |
| Alex C. Davis, Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs Alex Davis Law Office PSC 100 River Bluff Drive, Suite 420 Louisville, KY 40204 |
502-882-6000 | alex@acdavislaw.com |
| Randi Kassan, Co-Lead Counsel for Plaintiffs Milberg, PLLC 100 Garden City Plaza, Suite 408 Garden City, NY 11530 |
516-741-5600 | rkassan@milberg.com |
Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee
| Name and Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Presnal Harrison Davis Morrison Jones, P.C. 5 N. Ritchie Road Waco, TX 76712 |
254-761-3300 | justin@TheTrialLawyers.com |
| Mathew T. Siporin Pullano & Siporin 134 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 60602 |
312-551-1100 | mts@pullanolaw.com |
| D. Aaron Rihn Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. 437 Grant Street, Suite 1100 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 |
412-281-7229 | arihn@peircelaw.com |
| Gabriel A. Assaad McDonald Worley, P.C. 1770 St. James Place, Suite 100 Houston, TX 77056 |
713-523-5500 | gassaad@mcdonaldworley.com |
| Andrew Schwaba Schwaba Law Firm 1400 Lombardi Avenue, Suite 203 Green Bay, WI 54304 |
855-724-9222 | aschwaba@schwabalaw.com |
| Joshua S. Kincannon Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. 90 Woodbridge Center Drive Suite 900, Box 10 Woodbridge, NJ 07095-0958 |
732-855-6141 | jkincannon@wilentz.com |
| Ken Moll Moll Law Group 180 N. Stetson Avenue 35th Floor Chicago, IL 60601 |
312-462-1700 | kmoll@molllawgroup.com |
| Meghan Connolly Tittle & Perlmuter 34900 Chardon Road, Suite 202 Willoughby Hills, OH 44094 |
216-222-2222 | meghan@tittlelawfirm.com |
Defendant’s MDL Lead and Liaison Counsel
| Name and Address | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
| Sean K. Burke, MDL Liaison Counsel and Co-Lead Counsel for Defendants Duane Morris LLP 1201 Wills Street, Suite 330 Baltimore, MD 21231-3805 |
410-949-2911 | sburke@duanemorris.com |
| Dana J. Ash, Co-Lead Counsel for Defendants Duane Morris LLP 30 South 17th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196 |
215-979-1197 | djash@duanemorris.com |
Key Documents
- JPML Transfer Order entered 02/05/2026.
- Conditional Transfer Order (CTO-1) entered 02/06/2026.
- Order Upon Transfer entered 02/18/2026.
- Conditional Transfer Order (CTO-2) entered 04/16/2026.
- Conditional Transfer Order (CTO-3) entered 04/22/2026.
- Conditional Transfer Order (CTO-4) entered 05/27/2026.
- Conditional Transfer Order (CTO-5) entered 06/09/2026.
- Letter/Order scheduling an initial organizational meeting on 8/26/2026. Signed by Chief Judge Kristine G. Baker on 6/22/2026.
- Conditional Transfer Order (CTO-6) entered 06/24/2026.