Hip Orthopedic Device Recall Lawyers

July 14, 2022 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Several major manufacturers of hip replacement products are facing product liability lawsuits after complaints that their defective hip implants caused serious injury and pain. These defective hip implant lawsuits accuse companies like Smith & Nephew, Stryker, and Omnilife of knowingly distributing defective hip implants that dangerously deteriorated and caused significant injury.  Several companies have since issued recalls against these defective hip implants, but many injured hip replacement patients and their families are still struggling with medical debt, lost wages, and pain as a result of the negligent manufacturer's actions. If you have sustained an injury stemming from a defective hip replacement, Dolman Law Group can help you determine if you have grounds to pursue a hip implant recall lawsuit against the negligent manufacturer. Our hip implant recall lawyers are prepared to go above and beyond to ensure that your needs are met.

Defective Hip Implants Have Caused Serious Injuries

The allegations against hip replacement product manufacturers stem from an issue with their design. Hip implants like Smith & Nephew's BHR Total Hip are created using a metal-on-metal design, which has caused serious health issues for many hip replacement recipients.  The FDA has issued warnings about the dangers of these types of hip implant products. The wear and tear of normal activities like walking caused the metal components to rub against each other and create enough friction to shave off pieces of metal. These metal shavings or chips were then free to enter the bloodstream and cause serious health issues. Additionally, the integrity of the hip implant itself was compromised, often causing pain and diminishing function.

Examples of Injuries From Defective Hip Replacement Parts:

In many cases, patients who received one of these defective hip implants were forced to undergo revision surgery in order to replace the flawed product and prevent further damage. This opens patients up to the increased risk of complications like infection and extends recovery time, which can cause patients to struggle emotionally. These invisible injuries can be just as detrimental to a person's health.  As hip implant recall lawyers, we are aware of the lengths major manufacturers will go to to avoid being found liable for large settlements. Keeping your own records of pain and symptoms, as well as copies of medical files, can be beneficial to your hip replacement device recall lawyer as it allows them to demonstrate the value of your damages and the validity of your injuries.

What is Product Liability?

Manufacturers have a responsibility to consumers to exercise reasonable caution when designing and producing their products. They also have a duty to warn users of potential risks associated with their product. This is known as a duty of care. If a consumer, or in this case, a patient, is injured as a result of their defective product, they can be held responsible for the resulting damages in a hip implant recall lawsuit. In fact, many companies have already settled with injured hip replacement recipients.  In order for an injured party to recover damages in a product liability lawsuit, their legal representation must be able to demonstrate with a preponderance of the evidence in their favor that the manufacturer's negligence was directly responsible for their injuries and resulting damages. A qualified hip implant device attorney will be able to connect the links in the chain of causation in order to make a convincing claim for damages in a defective hip replacement device lawsuit.

Manufacturers of Faulty Hip Implants Can Be Found Liable

Hip replacement device manufacturers like Smith & Nephew, Stryker, and Omnilife are currently embroiled in defective hip implant lawsuits. Dolman Law Group has been a part of pursuing damages in defective hip implant lawsuits in order to help injured clients who were suffering from the effects of defective metal on metal hip implants. If you have received one of the listed hip replacement devices, we encourage you to consult your doctor and a hip implant lawyer as soon as possible to review your legal options for recourse.

Smith & Nephew Failed to Warn of Defective Hip Replacement Products 

Hundreds of defective hip lawsuits allege that Smith & Nephew were aware of the risk attached to their products, but failed to inform doctors or patients of the potential for severe injury. This accusation is accompanied by claims that Smith & Nephew were negligent in the design of their hip replacement product, as the metal-on-metal design has clearly been demonstrated to be flawed. The recalled defective hip implants include:
  • SMF Modular Stems – Implanted from 2009 to Recall in 2016.
  • Redapt Modular Stem – Implanted from 2009 to Recall in 2016.
  • BHR Total Hip (not Resurfacing) – Implanted from 2010 to 2014.

Stryker Hip Replacement Products Linked to Serious Health Issues

Stryker, another manufacturer of hip implant devices, has also come under fire for their role in producing dangerous hip implants that cause severe injury. The neck stems and taper locks of the metal-on-metal hip implant were the primary culprits, causing metal poisoning and an early deterioration of the implant.  Despite settling with injured hip replacement recipients nearly a decade ago, Stryker has continued to use metal-on-metal designs for their hip replacement products, subjecting new patients to these dangerous devices. This has led to a slew of new Stryker hip replacement lawsuits. Defective Stryker hip replacement products include:
  • Rejuvenate / ABG II Modular – Implanted from 2009 to Recall in 2012.
  • V40 Modular Heads – Implanted from 2007 to recall in 2016 / 2018.

Omnilife Hip Implant Product Responsible for Injury to Hip Replacement Patients 

Part of the appeal of the Omnilife hip replacement device was supposed to be that it was customizable. This design was supposed to allow surgeons to use a size that was most appropriate for their patients. Unfortunately, the metal-on-metal design caused hip replacement patients significant issues, including metal poisoning and loss of functionality. In many cases, hip replacement recipients needed a second operation to remove and replace the defective product. Right now, we are pursuing claims related to Omnilife's defective hip replacement device: 
  • Apex Arc – Implanted from 2009 to 2016 Discontinuation.

Exactech Hip Implants With Degraded Polyethylene Liners

The Connexion GXL Acetabular Polyethylene Hip Implant Liner by Exactech is a compromised component of several hip implant systems. Exactech has since put out a recall in 2021 over the product due to- “Risk of edge-loading and premature prosthesis wear is possible in a specific subset of patients with certain implant configurations and surgical implant positioning.”. This premature hip liner wear puts recipients of hip replacements that utilize this component at risk for health problems like osteolysis of the bones, synovitis, failure of the hip replacement, and the need to undergo revision surgery for their implant. the following are the hip replacement implant systems that have been identified as using this defective Exactech product.
  • MCS Hip System
  • Novation GXL
  • Acumatch GXL

What Defective Hip Implant Damages Can I Recover?

Hip replacement surgery often entails a serious recovery. Unfortunately, after receiving a defective hip implant, many patients require a second hip replacement surgery. In effect, that means that patients who have been injured by defective hip replacement products have often incurred extensive financial and non-economic losses. Economic damages are those that have a set monetary value, such as the cost of a wheelchair. Non-economic damages are more difficult to evaluate as they are often intangible, but nevertheless legitimate. For example, a grandfather who suffered complications from a defective hip implant might be forced to forgo a trip to visit his grandchildren while he recovers in the hospital.

Examples of Defective Hip Implant Damages:

  • Medical bills
    • Medication
    • Surgery
    • Hospital stays
    • Physical therapy
    • Mobility aids
    • Home healthcare aide
  • Job-related losses
    • Lost wages
    • Missed promotions
    • Reduced earning capacity
    • Loss of career
    • Job retraining
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of quality of life

Why Should I Hire a Hip Orthopedic Device Recall Lawyer?

Complaints against negligent hip replacement manufacturers have primarily been combined into class-action lawsuits in order to conserve court resources. However, Dolman Law Group knows that no two defective hip replacement lawsuits are the same. You may have the same injuries as another hip replacement recipient, but the value of your damages could be different based on factors like lifestyle and occupation. Complications from a defective hip implant may have forced you to change careers, forfeit your favorite hobbies, or reduce your quality of life. A skilled hip orthopedic device lawyer can help you contextualize your losses so their value can be properly calculated and demonstrated in negotiations or in court.

The Importance of Capable Representation in a Defective Hip Device Lawsuit

Taking on a defective hip implant lawsuit while you are still recovering puts you at risk of losing out on a fair settlement. Major manufacturers and their insurance carriers aren't typically keen to pay out large settlements, as that cuts into their profits and can damage their reputations. Without the legal insight and resources of an experienced hip replacement lawyer to support you, it's not a fair fight. On the other hand, if you choose to hire a reputable hip replacement attorney to represent you, you are demonstrating that you are willing to invest the time and effort required to obtain a fair settlement offer. You'll need a formidable advocate to add legitimacy to your claim and increase your chances of obtaining a fair settlement for your damages in a defective hip implant device lawsuit.

Why Should I Choose Dolman Law Group To Represent Me in a Hip Device Recall Lawsuit?

When you're choosing a hip device recall lawyer to represent you, it's important to consider a law firm's prior experience handling similar claims. Dolman Law Group has been on the front lines of negotiating fair settlements in hip replacement lawsuits, with commendable results.  Additionally, we have years of experience successfully handling other comparable product liability claims. For example, our team has been avidly pursuing justice through AFFF fire fighting foam lawsuits for those who were exposed to carcinogens while the manufacturer continued to profit off of the dangerous product. Dolman Law Group has a long history of standing up for injured clients who trusted the products they used were safe, only to be betrayed by a negligent manufacturer.  We won't push you to settle for an inadequate settlement just so we can say we've wrapped up your claim. Unlike insurance companies and powerful manufacturers, your needs are our priority. Our hip implant recall lawyers will devote our time, effort, and resources to negotiating a settlement that recognizes the stress, pain, and monetary losses you have experienced. 

Dolman Law Group Has a Reputation For Excellence

If your family's financial future is on the line, the last thing you want to have to worry about is whether or not your hip implant device lawyer is up to the task of negotiating a fair settlement offer. Dolman Law Group has a proven track record of settling product liability lawsuits for maximum compensation. But don't just take our word for it; our clients are more than willing to testify to our skills. Our clients know that they can rely on our sharp legal insight and thorough methods to establish a compelling claim for damages. In fact, many of our former clients have gone on to recommend our services to their friends. This has helped us expand our law practice all over the state of Florida. At Dolman Law Group, we believe that reputations are earned. That's why we strive to provide our clients with the highest quality service that respects the nuances of their individual situations. If you have suffered an injury as a result of a defective hip implant device, you can depend on Dolman Law Group to relentlessly pursue the damages you are entitled to receive. 

Contact Dolman Law Group For Help With Your Hip Orthopedic Device Recall Lawsuit

With the hip orthopedical device recall lawyers of Dolman Law Group as your advocates, you can feel confident that your needs will be addressed and that you will be involved throughout the decision-making process. Our defective hip implant lawyers have the expertise and work ethic to successfully recover the damages you are owed in a defective hip implant lawsuit. Insurance companies and major manufacturing companies aren't on your side. You need a seasoned advocate who is willing and able to take your hip device recall lawsuit to trial if you aren't being offered a fair settlement to compensate for your losses. While you focus on healing, Dolman Law Group will handle the paperwork and negotiations that are a part of filing a hip implant lawsuit. We offer free consultations to prospective clients who are interested in learning more about the benefits of our services. You can reach us by phone at (727) 451-6900 or contact us anytime through our website.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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