Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants

Hughes and Coleman is currently representing victims of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices in class action lawsuits against manufacturers.

Hip replacement procedures have become quite common to treat various health issues such as arthritis, hip fractures and other hip disabilities. With the growing need for hip replacement or resurfacing surgeries in the United States, several companies developed metal-on-metal hip replacement systems in hopes of creating devices that would be more durable for patients. Despite manufacturer’s initial beliefs, the metal-on-metal hip implants have resulted in serious complications for individuals that have received the implants.

The FDA reports that the components of metal-on-metal hip replacement systems can rub together and shed metallic debris into the body. As a result of this product defect, patients can suffer from pseudotumors, metal toxicity, or develop a condition called metallosis.

What are pseudotumors?

Pseudotumors are non-cancerous soft tissue growths which may be a reaction to high levels of metal particles shed from a metal-on-metal hip implant. These metal particles can grind off the implant causing tissue irritation and inflammation. Pseudotumors may be painful and can indicate the presence of metal toxicity or metallosis.

Metallosis Symptoms

Patients suffering from metallosis may experience the following symptoms:

Pain and discomfort
Inflammation and swelling of the joint area
Loosening of the implant
Implant malfunction
Deterioration of the bone
Metal toxicity in the blood stream

The complications resulting from metal-on-metal hip implants have required numerous patients to undergo revision surgeries. To date, several metal-on-metal hip replacement devices have been recalled.

Manufacturers of metal-on-metal hip implants may include but are not limited to the following:

Stryker
Smith & Nephew
Wright
Biomet
Zimmer
DePuy – ASR or Pinnacle
Encore

Due to the complexity of metal-on-metal hip implant cases, they are being filed in a multidistrict (MDL) litigation. That means, the cases are being tried in one common location. Bellwether trials, are currently being held for metal-on-metal hip MDL in a Dallas, TX federal court.

The fourth bellwether trial recently began in September of 2017. Previous bellwether trials have yielded multimillion-dollar settlements for the injured victims.

Plaintiffs have sought and won both compensatory and punitive damages, claiming that manufacturers were hasty to bring their products to market and that they neglected to perform sufficient premarket studies.

In one previous bellwether trial, against DePuy and Johnson & Johnson, the jury found that the implant was defective and poorly designed, and that the accused knew about the dangerous conditions associated with the implant but had failed to warn surgeons and patients, and even went so far as to conceal the risks. The trial included 6 plaintiffs who were awarded between $4M and $6M each for physical injuries and pain and suffering, as well as $1M to each of 4 spouses for loss of consortium.