Wright & Schulte LLC Agrees That Recent Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacement Recalls, Including DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Recall And Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Implant Recall, Confirm That More Device Maker Accountability Is Needed For Defective Implants.
Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Lawsuits: Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury law firm representing plaintiffs in metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuits, commends Consumer Reports’ new stance on the regulation of knee and hip implants. According to a statement posted on Consumer Reports’ website, a “lemon law” should be implemented to guarantee that hip and knee implant manufacturers pay for revision surgeries when a device is shown to be defective. Among other things, the statement cites recent problems with metal-on-metal hip replacements in calling for of the adoption of such a law. Consumer Reports also points out that over the past decade, every major manufacturer of hip and knee implants has issued at least one device recall, including several that were associated with serious health risks. Wright & Schulte LLC agrees with Consumer Reports that the problems with metal-on metal hips, coupled with this epidemic of recalls indicate a need to hold device makers accountable for defective implants.
[consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/09/replacement-hip-and-knees-need-a-lemon-law/index.htm]
Wright & Schulte LLC is representing numerous individuals in metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuits, and is currently offering free legal evaluations to individuals who suffered complications allegedly related to the DePuy ASR hip replacement recall and the Stryker hip recall, as well as those who may have suffered serious complications related to a metal-on-metal version of the DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement System, including:
- Metallosis
- Loosening of the implant
- Pain
- Swelling
- High levels of chromium and cobalt ions in their blood
- Premature failure resulting in revision surgery
The DePuy ASR hip replacement was recalled in August 2010 after data revealed the metal-on-metal hip implants were failing in 12-13% of patients within just five years. The Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant recall was issued in July 2012, after Rejuvenate and ABG II hip stems were found to be associated with fretting and corrosion at the modular neck junction, which can lead to pain, swelling and adverse local tissue reactions. While it was not recalled, DePuy Orthopaedics announced this past spring that it would end sales of the metal-on-metal version of the DePuy Pinnacle hip, after the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) took steps to increase the regulation of all-metal hip implants.
[fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/ImplantsandProsthetics/MetalonMetalHipImplants/ucm241770.htm, FDA, August 24, 2012]
[fda.gov/safety/recalls/ucm311043.htm, FDA, July 6, 2012]
[nytimes.com/2013/05/17/business/jj-is-phasing-out-metal-replacement-hips.html?ref=health&_r=0, New York Times, May 17, 2013]
Metal-On-Metal Hip Lawsuits
Since the recalls were announced, court documents indicate that more than 11,000 DePuy ASR hip implant lawsuits have been filed, including 7,800 in a multidistrict litigation underway in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio. (In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2197) Thousands of DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuits are also pending in a consolidated proceeding underway in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas. (In re: DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2244; N.D. Texas)
Hundreds of Stryker hip replacement lawsuits have also been filed since the Rejuvenate and ABG II devices were recalled, including more than 300 claims filed in New Jersey Superior Court, Bergen County. (In Re Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Stem and the ABG II Modular Hip Stem Litigation, No. 296) Nearly 200 similar Stryker Rejuvenate lawsuits are pending in a federal multidistrict litigation underway in U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota. (In re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2441)
In a Safety Communication issued January 17th, the FDA cautioned that toxic metal ions shed from metal-on-metal hip replacements can cause soft-tissue damage and pain, possibly leading to revision surgery to replace the implant, as well as systemic reactions in other parts of the body. At the time, the agency urged metal-on-metal hip implant recipients to consult their doctor if they experience new or worsening pain, swelling, numbness, noise (popping, grinding, clicking or squeaking of your hip), and/or change in their ability to walk. The FDA also announced that it was proposing new rules that require the manufacturers of metal-on-metal hips to conduct post-market safety studies of their devices if they want them to remain on the market.
[fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm335775.htm, FDA, January 17, 2013]
About Wright & Schulte LLC
Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured or wronged and fight tirelessly to ensure that even the world’s most powerful corporations take responsibility for their actions. If you’re looking for a law firm that will guarantee the aggressive and personal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Free case evaluations are available through yourlegalhelp.com or by calling 1-800-399-0795.
