An Illinois metal hip replacement lawsuit may be an option for people who suffered complications from a metal hip implant. Plaintiffs allege that some metal hip replacements led to serious injuries and that manufacturers did not warn the public about the risks of using their products. Affected patients and their families may be able to file a lawsuit and recover compensation with the help of an Illinois metal hip replacement lawsuit attorney.
If you or someone you love has had a metal-on-metal hip implant and experienced severe complications, contact Attorney Group for Illinois. We can help answer your questions and explain your options to you. If you choose to pursue a case, we can connect you with an affiliated Illinois metal hip replacement lawsuit attorney who can help you throughout the legal process.
What Is a Metal Hip Replacement?
More than 250,000 people have artificial hips implanted each year. Approximately a third of those surgeries use metal-on-metal hip joints. While metal artificial joints have been promoted as a longer-lasting option for patients, many individuals have experienced early failure of the devices. In addition, as a hip replacement lawsuit attorney can tell you, metal poisoning, a serious complication of the implants, has been alleged to result from this type of artificial joint.
Patients suffering from severe hip pain, degenerative arthritis and other conditions sometimes receive artificial hip joints to improve their quality of life. An artificial joint engineered from metal components is one type of implant commonly used in these surgeries. Metal hip components are designed to perform for at least 15 years before it would need to be replaced. Unfortunately, that has often not been the case. As a hip replacement lawsuit lawyer can attest, the implants are associated with premature failure in many patients.
How Do Artificial Metal Hips Work?
Artificial hips are designed to work in the same way as a natural joint, allowing for a full range of pain-free movement. Metal hip replacements consist of a metal ball within a metal socket. The ball and socket are designed to move like healthy joints. Other types of artificial hips use plastic or ceramic rather than metal components.
Metal Hip Replacement Risks
Metal hip replacements have been alleged to lead to serious injuries. Some studies have concluded that as many as 3 percent of recipients will suffer from complications caused by the devices. Because of the risk of injury and device failure, it is estimated that the use of metal-on-metal hip implants have fallen by 80 percent. The Mayo Clinic has reported that dozens of patients have required second surgeries because of metal debris from the implants.
Metal hip replacements fail from premature wear when the metal components rub against one another during normal everyday movement. Resulting friction leads to damage in the implant, and debris from the metal is released from the joints. This metal has been shown in recent studies to enter the bloodstream.
Metal debris in the bloodstream puts patients at risk for metal poisoning. Hip replacements that have broken down lead to complex surgery to remove the implants and their debris. Illinois hip replacement patients are at risk if they have received metal-on-metal hip replacements. Complications that are associated with the devices include the following:
- Potential loss of bone and tissue
- Pain during movement or rest
- A dislocated or loose implant
- Swelling and infection at the implant site
Some patients will have to endure further corrective surgeries after suffering complications from metal hip replacements. These surgeries could include another hip replacement procedure as well as treatments for complications and injuries caused by the metal hip joints.
Additional Metal Hip Replacement Side Effects
Beyond the complications associated with a failing implant, metal-on-metal hip replacements may lead to blood poisoning. This condition results from the break down of the metal components, leading to fragments spreading through a patient’s body. Reaction to the toxicity includes headaches, confusion and dizziness. Metallosis, as metal poisoning is sometimes called, is also associated with gastrointestinal complications and damage to the nervous system.
A particular type of metal implant, a cobalt hip replacement, can lead to cobalt poisoning. This is a serious condition that can affect hearing and sight. In addition, cobalt poisoning is associated with complications such as cardiomyopathy, hypothyroidism and skin rashes.
How an Illinois Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
Medical device makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their devices, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a device maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by defective metal hip replacements may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those killed may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Illinois. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
