A Biomet settlement is progressing through the United States District Court as patients in Louisiana and other states await the finalization of the agreement. The Biomet settlement is to compensate patients who suffered injury after the company’s M2A and M2a 38 Magnum hip replacement devices failed soon after they were implanted. The settlement will not block patients who have not yet had revision surgery from filing lawsuits in the future should they require revision surgery. In this settlement agreement, only patients who required revision surgery within 180 days of their initial surgery may receive compensation.
Biomet Settlement Details
According to Biomet settlement documents, patients will receive a base settlement of $200,000. However, plaintiffs are in mediation with Biomet in order to enhance the settlements based on several factors, including the time between the initial surgery and the revision. This Biomet settlement does not address patients who suffered from metallosis due to the release of metal particles from the metal-on-metal hip implants.
Because both the ball and cup in the device are made of metal, fragments can be released from the device during normal movement. In some patients, the metal fragments, which can be as large as two centimeters, can enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs, causing significant damage. Patients with metal allergies may suffer illness from the fragments as well. This settlement addresses the failure of the joints soon after their implantation. In addition, some of the patients from Louisiana and other states suffered bone and tissue damage in the area of the joint due to the implant and now suffer from permanent disability.
One Louisiana woman filed suit against Biomet regarding an implant she received in February 2008. In late 2010, the woman was required to undergo revision surgery in Louisiana, which is often more difficult and complex than the original implant procedure. This is because portions of bone are removed when the device is implanted originally. In addition, revision surgery poses greater risks for complications than initial hip replacement surgery. The Louisiana woman claims that her hip replacement surgery and resulting revision have left her permanently disabled and in chronic pain.
Have You Been Injured By a Biomet Hip?
If you or a loved one has undergone revision surgery soon after the implantation of a Biomet metal-on-metal hip device, or if a loved one has died from complications of the implant, contact Attorney Group for Louisiana today. Your free, no-obligation consultation can help determine if you are eligible for a wrongful death or personal injury claim as part of the Biomet settlement currently progressing for patients in US District Court.
