Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Lawyers: Claims Against DePuy, Wright, Biomet, Others

By Austin Kirk
Posted March 12, 2012

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The product liability lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. continue to review potential metal-on-metal hip replacement lawsuits for individuals throughout the United States. Although most of the media attention has been focused on the recalled DePuy ASR hip implant, all metal-on-metal systems have the potential to cause serious and debilitating damage.

Over the past two years, a growing body of evidence has emerged that establishes the serious risk of complications with metal-on-metal hip replacements.

Although it is not necessary that the specific manufacturer or model be known before reviewing your potential case with our law firm, the following metal-on-metal hip systems appear to be most frequently associated with early failure and the need for revision surgery:

• DePuy ASR Hip Replacement
• DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement
• Wright Conserve Hip Replacement
• Biomet M2A Magnum Hip Replacement

Metal-on-metal hip replacements were often promoted for use among younger and more active patients, but they may actually be prone to fail within a few years of surgery. As the metal parts rub against each other, microscopic shavings of metal may be released into the body, increasing the risk of loosening, failure and other complications associated with metal-on-metal hip replacement poisoning.

As a result of the large number of reported problems with metal-on-metal hip replacements, manufacturers knew or should have known that there were serious defects with the design of their systems. Yet, rather than issuing a recall, most manufacturers continued to aggressively market and promote their all-metal hip systems as safe and effective, allowing thousands of additional people throughout the United States to receive the defective implants.

Two years ago, metal-on-metal hip concerns first gained national media attention with a March 2010 report in the New York Times. While the all metal implants previously accounted for about one-third of the 250,000 hip replacements performed each year, based on the belief that the all metal structure would be more durable, sales have fallen dramatically in recent years.

In May 2011, the FDA required manufacturers to gather additional data on the risk of metal poisoning from metal-on-metal hips, due to concerns about the high levels of cobalt and chromium that may enter the bloodstream. In the future, it would not surprise our lawyers to see metal-on-metal hip systems removed from the market or phased out completely.

METAL-ON-METAL HIP LAWYERS

All potential claims are reviewed and handled by our metal-on-metal hip replacement lawyers under a contingency fee agreement, which means that there are never any out-of-pocket expenses to hire our law firm and there are no attorney fees unless a recovery is obtained.

If you suspect that you, a friend or family member may have received an all-metal artificial hip replacement, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.