A Zimmer Kinectiv hip recall lawsuit may be an option for hip replacement patients who have suffered serious complications after having hip replacement surgery. In June 2015, Zimmer, Inc. initiated a hip recall of its M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology hip implants. Despite claims that hip replacements help patients increase mobility and joint stability, hip replacement systems, such as the Zimmer Kinectiv, have been associated with severe complications. Affected patients and their families may be able to pursue a claim and seek compensation with the help of a defective medical device attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a case we can connect you with an affiliated Zimmer Kinectiv hip recall lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is the Zimmer Kinectiv?
The Zimmer M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology is a hip replacement system that purports to help alleviate the challenges of leg length, joint stability and range of motion that often accompany hip replacement surgery. According to the manufacturer:
The Zimmer M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology introduces a system of modular stem and neck components designed to help the surgeon restore the hip joint center intraoperatively by addressing leg length, offset, and version independently.
In 2007, the FDA approved the Zimmer Kinectiv hip replacement as a Class III device.
What are the Risks of the Zimmer Kinectiv?
The immediate risk posed by the Zimmer Kinectiv, and which prompted the June 2015 recall, is that certain lots of the device were distributed with manufacturing residue left on the product. According to an FDA Safety Alert:
A process monitoring failure led to higher than expected amounts of manufacturing residues left on the Zimmer M/L Taper with Kinectiv Technology Femoral Stems and Necks. These residues can cause serious adverse health issues including allergic reactions, pain, infections, or death. Use of these products may require the need for a revision surgery to replace the affected implant.
Patients who received an affected hip replacement may need revision surgery to remove the tainted device and replace it with another one.
Risks inherent to all metal hip devices include the wear and tear that results the metal ball and the metal cup slide against each other during walking or running. Metal can also be released from other parts of the implant where two implant components connect. Metal release will cause some tiny metal particles to wear off of the device into the space around the implant. Wear and corrosion at the connection between the metal ball and taper of the stem may also occur. Some of the metal ions (e.g. cobalt and chromium) from the metal implant or from the metal particles will enter the bloodstream.
Over time, the metal particles around some implants can cause damage to bone and/or tissue surrounding the implant and joint. Soft tissue damage may lead to pain, implant loosening, device failure, and the need for revision surgery. Patients with an early onset of problems may be considered for earlier revision to prevent extensive damage to bone, muscle and nerves.
Has There Been a Zimmer Kinectiv Recall?
There have been two recalls of the Zimmer M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology. The June 8, 2015, recall, described above, was issued due to dangerous and possibly deadly manufacturing residue having been left on certain devices. This recall is a Class I recall, which is the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
A separate recall was issued in July 2014 due to black residue having been observed in the sterile pouch of the M/L Taper and Kinectiv stems. This recall was terminated on March 6, 2015.
In addition to the two Zimmer Kinectiv recalls, there have been multiple adverse event reports made to the FDA involving the device, involving loosening of the device, possible corrosion of the hip component, increased metal ion levels in patient blood, and significant fretting around the neck and stem.
Is There Zimmer Kinectiv Class Action?
There is no Zimmer Kinectiv class action pending as of June 2015. Zimmer Kinectiv lawsuit attorneys are doubtful that a class action will be certified for patients who are adversely affected by these recalled hip replacements. Instead, if multiple lawsuits are filed against Zimmer alleging injuries and other damages caused by the Zimmer Kinectiv, it is anticipated that these lawsuits will be consolidated for discovery and other pretrial proceedings.
When cases are consolidated in this way in federal court it is called a multidistrict litigation (MDL), and on a state level it is known as a state court consolidated proceeding. MDLs are distinct from class actions, and it is generally agreed that consolidating cases instead of proceeding in a class action is a more efficient and effective way of handling claims arising from injuries causes by medical devices.
Have There Been Zimmer Kinectiv Settlements?
Some cases settle early in the claims process, but it is not expected that there will be early Zimmer Kinectiv settlements. In most cases that proceed in an MDL or state court consolidated proceedings, after a certain period of time initial trials, also known as bellwether trials, take place. The purpose of these trials is for the parties to get an idea of the types of evidence and arguments that will made, as well as to see how juries will respond to the evidence and arguments. After a certain number of cases have been tried, the parties are in a better position to determine whether a case can be settled.
It is expected that Zimmer Kinectiv settlements will follow this pattern, although the outcome of any case is never guaranteed and past results are not necessarily predictive of future outcomes.
Zimmer Kinectiv Hip Recall Lawsuit News
- July 2015 – According to Reuters, a Los Angeles jury dealt a $9.2 million verdit to Zimmer Inc in litigation over its Zimmer Durom Cup implant following a three week trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. Jurors found Indiana-based Zimmer liable on claims including negligent design defect and failure to warn.
- June 2015 – Class I recall issued for Zimmer Kinectiv after the company found a process monitoring failure that led to higher than expected amounts of manufacturing residues left on the devices. These residues can cause serious adverse health issues including allergic reactions, pain, infections, or death.
- July 2014 – Class II recall issued for Zimmer Kinectiv due to black residue observed in the sterile pouch of certain M/L Taper and Kinectiv stems.
- July 2007 – The FDA approved the Zimmer Kinectiv hip replacement as a Class III medical device.
Have You Seen a Zimmer Kinectiv Hip Recall Lawsuit Commercial?
You may have seen a Zimmer Kinectiv hip recall lawsuit commercial or a commercial about the recall of another hip replacement system. Numerous metal on metal hip recalls have been issued in recent years, leading to injuries to patients and the filing of lawsuits, including Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG lawsuits, Depuy ASR and Pinnacle lawsuits, and Wright Conserve Hip Replacement lawsuits. Litigation has also surrounded the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement, although that device is not currently recalled.
Regardless of the type of metal on metal hip implant you have, or whether you have seen a Zimmer Kinectiv hip recall lawsuit commercial or not, it is important to for you to inform yourself of your options and seek the assistance of an attorney, if necessary.
How a Zimmer Kinectiv Hip Recall Lawsuit Attorney Can Help
If a patient is injured by a metal-on-metal hip replacement, he or she may be entitled to compensation for damages resulting from injuries. Damages can include:
- Loss of income or ability to work
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish resulting from injuries
- Medical expenses
- The extent of an injury
If a patient dies from complications caused by a metal-on-metal hip replacement, family members may be able to wrongful death compensation, which can include:
- Mental anguish resulting from the loss of a loved one
- Loss of relationship or financial support
- Funeral expenses
- Conscious pain and suffering of a loved one prior to death
If the conduct of a device maker in manufacturing and selling a hip replacement is found to be highly reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. 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.
