On June 24, 2014, a Florida woman became the first person to file a lawsuit stating that a new hip implant is faulty and dangerous, and attorneys believe that similar lawsuits could be filed in Kansas or other states across the country. The Apex ARC Hip System is among the latest orthopedic hip implants alleged to cause serious injuries and other health problems. In July 2012, after several complaints and lawsuits were filed, Stryker Orthopaedics voluntarily recalled the components of two hip-replacement devices. In 2013, Depuy Inc. agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement to compensate patients who received its ASR metal-on-metal hip implants.
Kansas hip recall attorneys are expected to keep a watchful eye on the Florida Apex hip replacement lawsuit. If you believe you were injured after receiving a hip implant such as the Apex Arc hip system, contact Attorney Group for Kansas.
Apex ARC Hip System Lawsuit
While the plaintiff in the Florida Apex ARC Hip System lawsuit is a resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the suit was filed in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, where the device’s manufacturer, Orthopaedic Synergy, Inc., and its parent company, Omnilife Science, Inc., are located.
The plaintiff states that the Apex ARC Hip System was implanted on February 20, 2012, and one year later, she began to suffer from pain in her left hip. After visiting her doctors, several diagnostic tests were performed, which showed that the plaintiff had elevated levels of titanium, chromium and cobalt in her bloodstream. In addition, a mass was found on her hip that turned out to be a pseudotumor containing necrotic and fibrotic tissues.
The plaintiff’s doctors had to perform three procedures to relieve the pain and correct the problems. The pseudotumor was debulked, and she had to undergo sciatic nerve neurolysis. She also had to receive hip revision surgery to correct the positioning of the Apex ARC, and during this procedure, it was discovered that the taper junction of the implant had corroded.
The Apex ARC Design
The Apex ARC Hip System was purportedly designed to eliminate the flaws of other hip-replacement devices with metal-on-metal systems, and according to a press release issued by Omnilife Science, the ARC can be implanted through a minimally invasive procedure intended to save bone and soft tissue.
Surgeons were reportedly led to believe that the Apex ARC is a safer alternative to other hip implants and that it would be of great benefit to young and active patients. However, the design of the Apex ARC is visually similar to that of the recalled Stryker Rejuvenate.
Kansas Attorneys Can Help
If you live in Kansas or had hip replacement surgery in Kansas, you may have received the Apex ARC hip implant or another model that could be faulty and dangerous. Contact Attorney Group for Kansas today for a free consultation. We can help you understand your options in your particular situation, and connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you in filing a lawsuit. Contact us today for more information.
