Thousands of Americans undergo hip replacement surgery each year. A big problem is though; many manufacturers of metal on metal hip replacement devices have had to recall their products due to defects. Hip replacement surgeries should positively impact patients’ lives, however, this is not always the case. Of the quarter million hip replacement surgeries taking place annually in the United States, thousands require revision surgery due to faulty medical devices.
Sometimes it seems as if manufacturers are more interested in profits over people when they try to fast track their products and filter them into markets without proper testing or safeguards in place. As a result, many people suffer from serious injury and even death due to unsafe medical devices.
DePuy is a franchise of orthopedic and neurosurgery companies acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 1998. DePuy is currently the subject of more than 11,000 lawsuits related to the recall of DePuy’s Orthopedic Pinnacle Hip Replacement System. Industry analysts estimate the recall and subsequent lawsuits will cost parent company Johnson & Johnson billions of dollars to resolve.
The allegations made in DePuy Pinnacle hip implant lawsuits involve Pinnacle devices that utilize the metal liner. It was thought that all-metal hip implants would be more durable and longer lasting than other implants made from alternative components, however, many people claim their metal-on-metal device failed within just a few years.
Symptoms of a failed DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement or other metal-on-metal implants include:
- Extreme pain
- Bone deterioration
- Tissue death
- Dislocation
- Swelling at or near the hip joint
- Pain in the hip, groin or leg
- Loss of mobility
- Loosening of the hip replacement device
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Metal toxicity
In May 2011, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it was reviewing the safety of metal-on-metal hip implant devices. According to the agency, there were concerns that such devices could shed dangerous amounts of metal debris in patients, leading to adverse local tissue reactions and premature device failures.
Those who design, manufacture and distribute damaged or defective products, which cause harm to you, a family member or loved one must be held accountable.
If you or a loved one is in need of revision surgery or if you have had a metal on metal hip replacement and are in pain or experiencing any adverse reactions, contact he experienced attorneys at Fellows Hymowitz Rice P.C. for a free, confidential consultation.
The attorneys at Fellows Hymowitz Rice P.C. have a record of success in handling a wide range of cases including Medical Malpractice, Defective Medical Device and Product Liability cases. We bring the same individual commitment and dedication to each case, big or small.
If you or a loved one have been injured in any type of accident, or by a medical device you think may be faulty, call us for a free confidential consultation at 800-660-4878.
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