Have you or a loved one experienced serious complications as a result of hip replacement surgery?
If so, you may be entitled to seek compensation.
To date, more than 29,000 lawsuits have been filed against hip manufacturers, with these companies forced to pay out more than $7 billion in verdicts and settlements to victims.
What are These Hip Replacement Lawsuits About?
The vast majority of hip replacement lawsuits involve designs that feature metal-on-metal components. However, several other types of hip replacement lawsuits, including but not limited to those resulting from complications due to faulty parts or components (such as polyethylene hip liners) are also common.
The Problem with Materials and Components Used in Hip Replacement Surgeries
Polyethylene and other types of materials used in joint implant medical devices can break down over time, resulting in significant bone damage or osteolysis and other complications as a result.
When these components wear down, accumulation of debris can occur in surrounding joint tissue, causing inflation, pain, and degeneration of bone structure.
The Issue with Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Devices
Metal-on-metal hip designs were once touted as a more durable alternative. However, such designs from several companies have proven to result in several mechanical shortfalls and medical complications. For example, Tritanium Acetabular Shells from Stryker have been prone to loosen and fail over time, while others have resulted in a condition known as metallosis, destroying, muscle, bone, and other tissue.
How Much Has Been Paid Out to Victims?
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, across the United States, more than 450,000 total hip replacements are performed annually.
Since 2002, tens of thousands of hip replacement lawsuits have been settled, resulting in more than $7.5 billion paid out to victims.
Although many cases have been resolved, as of 2019 there were more than 14,000 cases still pending.
What Types of Injuries are Involved with Hip Replacement Lawsuits?
Lawsuits regarding hip replacement complications cite several types of injuries including but not limited to:
- Pain
- Joint dislocation
- Metallosis
- Revision surgery
- Loosening
- Tissue damage
- And more…
Which Companies are Cited in These Lawsuits?
Manufacturers and Brands Named in Lawsuits
There were six companies that largely controlled the metal-on-metal hip implant market since 2004. Each of these are involved in some of the largest lawsuits to date.
These companies and/or manufacturers include:
- Wright Medical
- Depuy Orthopaedics
- Smith & Nephew
- Stryker
- Zimmer
- Biomet
- Exactech
Contact Our Law Firm to Find Out If You Qualify – but don’t delay, there is a statute of limitations
If you or a loved one have had a knee or ankle replacement and have suffered from complications as a result, you may be qualified to file a claim. But don’t wait. A statute of limitations is in play and you have a limited time to file suit.
Our team is standing by and ready to help answer any questions you may have.