Flood of product liability lawsuits begins. FDA warns numerous manufacturers about illegally promoting pedicle screws. FDA advisory panel recommends that FDA reclassify pedicle screws as Class II device, which would allow marketing. For the first time, several medical societies named as defendants in lawsuits. Cases involving medical societies dismissed on procedural grounds.
Plaintiffs refile amended complaints.
Medical societies ask to be dismissed on grounds of free speech. Court denies motion to dismiss medical societies. Cases advance toward discovery and trial.