More than 3,000 DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer by patients who have allegedly suffered from serious injuries following implantation with a metal-on-metal version of the DePuy Pinnacle implant. Common injuries include metallosis, metal sensitivity, dislocation, fracture, infection, pain, tissue damage and difficulty walking. Plaintiffs also allege that the all-metal version of the DePuy Pinnacle hip implant which uses the Ultamet liner is designed similarly to the DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implant, which was pulled from the market in 2010 due to an unexpectedly high failure rate.
If you or someone you love required revision surgery or experienced complications due to a failing DePuy Pinnacle hip, contact Attorney Group for California to learn more about how we can help you recover damages. We can review your case, free of charge, and connect you with an affiliated DePuy hip replacement attorney in California who can assist you throughout the legal process.
According to those working with a DePuy hip replacement attorney, more than 150,000 patients have received the metal-on-metal Pinnacle hip implant and may be at risk for life-threatening complications. The normal wear-and-tear of daily activities such as walking may potentially cause the ball and socket to rub against one another. Due to this friction between two metal parts, shards of chromium and cobalt may potentially find their way into the bloodstream, resulting in dangerous and elevated levels of metal ions that may cause cobalt poisoning, dizziness, nervous system damage and headaches.
In June 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration convened an expert panel to address the dangers associated with all metal-on-metal hip implant devices. Those who had experienced injuries due to early device failure of the DePuy Pinnacle had the opportunity to state their thoughts to the FDA, and several patients requested that the panel remove the devices from the market.
DePuy issued a recall of its ASR hip implants in August 2010 after receiving reports of high failure rates. However, there has not yet been a recall of the all-metal Pinnacle, although the device is similar in composition to the company’s ASR design. Both hip implants were approved by way of the FDA’s 510(k) clearance process, which allows devices to become available without testing if manufacturers can prove that the new devices are significantly similar to a predicate, or already-approved, product.
Those who have experienced injuries may consider working with a DePuy hip replacement attorney in California to seek compensation for their conditions. Common complaints from Pinnacle patients include:
- Dislocation
- Clicking noises from the joint
- Implant failure
- Revision procedures
- Trouble walking
- Decreased range of motion
- Serious pain and discomfort
If you have been injured, contact a California DePuy hip replacement attorney. In many cases, patients are required to undergo revision procedures that are often more complex than the initial procedure to implant the device. Medical expenses may likely increase, leaving the patient with no choice but to cope with the pain, both financially and physically.
How a California DePuy Hip Replacement Attorney Can Help
If you or a loved one received a DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement in California, you may be able to work with a DePuy hip replacement attorney to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, out-of-pocket expenses and any costs related to permanent disability. Contact Attorney Group for California today to receive a free case evaluation and determine whether you have a case. We can connect you with an experienced DePuy hip replacement attorney who can assist you in seeking the compensation to which you may be entitled.
