Hip Replacement Settlements Likely to Continue As Recalled Implants Fail, Require Revision Surgery in Future
The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals throughout the country who are pursuing hip replacement lawsuits over damages associated with various different dangerous and defective implant designs, including metal-on-metal hips and certain modular systems, which may have a propensity to fail over the years after they are implanted.
In recent weeks, several large, global settlements have been announced that will resolve thousands of lawsuits filed on behalf of individuals who have required revision surgery. However, our lawyers believe that individuals who have not yet experienced problems will continue to be eligible to file new cases and that additional hip settlements will be available in the future as these devices continue to fail and require revision surgery.
Among cases still being investigated by our hip replacement lawyers:
- DePuy ASR Hip Lawsuits: A metal-on-metal hip replacement system that was recalled in August 2010 amid a high failure rate.
- Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Lawsuits: A modular femoral system, that features two pieces that fit inside each other, allowing surgeons to adjust the length of the component. However, the implant design was recalled in July 2012 due to a risk that it may corrode, fret and ultimately fail at the modular junction.
- DePuy Pinnacle Hip Lawsuits: An older hip design, which was sold with one configuration that involved a metal-on-metal design. The Pinnacle hip was identified as a “substantial equivalent” of the recalled DePuy ASR, and has also been linked to failures within a few years after being implanted.
- Biomet M2A Magnum Hip Lawsuits: Another metal-on-metal implant, which has three all-metal components, including a metal femoral head, metal taper insert and metal acetabular cup. As the metal parts rub against each other, microscopic metal debris may be released into the body, increasing the risk of problems.
- Wright Profemur Hip Lawsuits: Another modular femoral system, which has been linked to reports of problems where the implant may fracture at the neck-stem, leading to catastrophic failure.
- Wright Conserve Hip Lawsuits: A metal-on-metal artificial hip system that was introduced in 2003, and has been linked to hundreds of reports of early failure.
- Zimmer Durom Cup Lawsuits: An implant that was recalled temporarily in early 2008, due to issues with the warnings and instructions provided to physicians about the proper implant techniques, which has been linked to a higher-than-expected number of problems for those who received the implant prior to 2008.
To review a potential claim for yourself, a friend or family member, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.
Stryker Rejuvenate Settlement
Earlier this week, a Stryker Rejuvenate settlement was announced, where the manufacturer of the recalled modular hip component agreed to pay more than $1 billion to resolve about 4,000 lawsuits filed on behalf of individuals who required revision surgery on or before November 3.
However, an estimated 20,000 of the recalled Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II implants were sold before the manufacturer first warned about the risk of problems in July 2012. Therefore, there are still thousands of individuals who likely have this defective artificial hip in their body.
Strong evidence suggests that Stryker Rejuvenate hips will continue to fail as they remain in place, as the metal components that are part of the modular femoral stem fret and corrode from rubbing against each other during normal daily activities.
As a result, the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. expect that additional settlements will be available for Stryker Rejuvenate hip patients who require revision surgery over the next several years.
DePuy ASR Hip Settlements
Similar future problems are likely to be seen with individuals who still have a recalled DePuy ASR implant, which was removed from the market in August 2010 after it was discovered that a higher-than-expected number were failing over the first five years after the hip replacement surgery.
Last year, a DePuy ASR hip settlement was announced, where the manufacturer agreed to pay at least $2.4 billion to resolve about 8,000 claims brought on behalf of individuals who required revision surgery prior to August 31, 2013. However, more than 90,000 of the recalled metal-on-metal implants were sold worldwide.
Last week, Bloomberg news reported that a second settlement may soon be announced to resolve an additional 1,000 cases that did not qualify under the first settlement. It is also expected that DePuy will have to settle additional cases in the future, as individuals who have an ASR hip continue to face an increased risk of problems.
Find Out If You May Have a Hip Replacement Lawsuits
The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential claims for individuals throughout the United States who may face a risk of problems due to recalled hip replacements or other dangerous and defectively designed implants, which may lead to:
- Loosening of the Implant
- Metal Blood Poisoning
- Pseudo-tumors
- Hip Revision Surgery
- Catastrophic Hip Implant Failure
All hip replacement claims are handled by our law firm under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are never any out-of-pocket costs to hire a lawyer and we receive no attorney fees or reimbursed expenses unless we are successful obtaining a financial compensation through a hip settlement or other recovery.
It is important to make sure steps are taken to protect your legal rights. To review whether you or a family member may be eligible to pursue a lawsuit at this time, request a free case evaluation.
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