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.
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.
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.
Our Lawyers Can Help
If you know an individual that has experienced complications associated with a metal-on-metal hip replacement, Hughes & Coleman wants to help.
We are currently consulting with individuals who may have suffered from complications related to the following devices, products, and systems:
- DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Cup System
- DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System
- DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System
- Zimmer Holdings Durom Acetabular Components
- Smith & Nephew R3 Acetabular System
- Biomet M2a
- Wright Medical ProFemur Z Hip System
- Wright Medical Conserve Plus Total Resurfacing Hip System
- Centerpulse Orthadapt and Inter-Op
- Corin Cormet 2000
- Encore Orthopedics
- Exactech R3
- RingLoc+ Modular Acetabular System
- Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System and Hip Replacement
Call 800-800-4600 or fill out a free consultation form today.
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