Plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit may see a payment of at least $200,000 in a Biomet settlement that is currently progressing in US District Court. The Biomet settlement is designed to compensate patients who suffered after undergoing revision surgery due to the failure of the company’s M2A 38 Magnum and M2 hip replacement devices. The settlement in progress now is only designed to provide compensation for patients whose revision surgeries occurred within three months (180 days) of their original surgery, but it does not prevent those with the hip implants who have not required revision surgery to file a lawsuit at a later date.
Biomet Settlement
One group of plaintiffs included in the Biomet settlement currently proposed is in mediation with Biomet in order to enhance settlements for patients with extenuating circumstances. The settlement does not include patients in Mississippi and other states who suffered from metal poisoning or those who suffered after metal particles released from the devices entered their bloodstream and traveled to other organs, causing damage.
The Biomet devices are what is known as metal-on-metal hip replacement devices as both the metal ball that and socket that serve as the hip joint after hip replacement are both made of metal. During normal movement, the two components rub against each other, which can lead to metal particles, some as large as two centimeters, to be released from the device. These particles can exit the hip joint and enter the bloodstream, injuring other organs and causing metallosis, a form of metal poisoning. In addition, the metal parts of the device have caused damage to bone and tissue in the area of the joint, causing patients chronic pain. In many cases, the Biomet devices failed completely, requiring patients to undergo revision surgery. Revision surgery is often more difficult and painful than the initial surgery as portions of bone are removed when the initial hip replacement is implanted. Patients in Mississippi and other states have suffered permanent injury that has led to disability due to the failure of the hip implants.
According to lawsuit documents, Biomet hip replacements were marketed to doctors in Mississippi and other states for active and younger hip replacement patients as the designers claimed they would last longer than the 15 years other types of hip replacement devices were expected to last. However, many patients in Mississippi and other states reported that the devices failed much more quickly than devices made of other materials, leading to multiple lawsuits. These lawsuits were combined into a class action lawsuit in US District Court, which has led to the recent settlement talks.
Have You Been Injured By a Biomet Hip Implant?
Revision surgery for a hip replacement is more complicated and patients who must have such surgeries are at risk for complications, which is why patients who have undergone such surgery or believe they have suffered serious injury from a Biomet hip implant should contact Attorney Group for Mississippi today for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding a possible claim similar to that included in the recent Biomet settlement. We can help answer your questions and help you understand your options in your particular situation. If you decide to pursue a claim, we can connect you with an affiliated attorney who can assist you with filing a lawsuit. Contact us today to learn more.
