A Missouri metal hip replacement lawsuit may be an option for patients who have received a metal hip replacement and developed severe complications. Hip replacement surgery is meant to help restore mobility and increase the function of a diseased hip joint. In some cases, however, patients may experience serious complications associated with the hip implant, including dislocation and blood poisoning due to wear and tear on the implant. Affected patients and their families may be able to file a Missouri metal hip replacement lawsuit and recover compensation for their injuries.
If you or someone you love has had a metal-on-metal hip implant and experienced complications, contact Attorney Group for Missouri. 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 Missouri metal hip replacement lawsuit attorney who can help you throughout the legal process.
Choosing a Durable Prosthetic Hip
Surgically removing the original ball-and-socket joint of the hip and implanting a prosthetic replacement is not a procedure that orthopedic surgeons take lightly, and BoneSmart.org notes that they have preferences that affect which device they recommend. Factors such as strength, durability and stability are typically considered before choosing, and the materials that make up the bearing of the joint influence the decision.
Plastic and ceramic provide strength, but these joints wear away over time, just as the original bone does when its protective coating of cartilage is damaged. The synthetic materials shed by prosthetics can have an impact on the health of the patient because the immune system interprets the presence of the debris as an attack. The response to this is typically infection, which over time leads to damage of the surrounding bone.
Metal joints do not wear away as quickly, but this does not make them an obvious choice. The shavings may have a more serious impact than the plastic or ceramic debris, even though there may be less of it introduced into a person’s system.
Metal Hip Implant Recalls
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the bits of metal that come off of the implants can enter the bloodstream. Although some people may not suffer any harm from the ions in their bodies, others develop metallosis, which may lead to serious adverse reactions that cause unpredictable health issues. These may not appear to be related to the implant because they include symptoms such as skin rashes, hearing impairment, kidney failure and heart problems.
Some metal hip implants have been recalled, and the FDA warns that patients who have them may need to be closely monitored by their doctors to identify the development of symptoms before they become severe. However, patients may not necessarily require surgery to have the implant removed.
Doctors are encouraged to weigh the potential for a damaging reaction against the risks associated with the replacement procedure. The Hospital for Special Surgery warns that the second surgery, known as a revision, is more prone to complications than the original, in part due to the damage to the bone and surrounding area that must typically be addressed before the new implant can be placed.
Investigating Faulty Hip Replacements
CBS News reports that researchers have investigated metal-on-metal implants and discovered that at least one company may have known that the metal ions were toxic, but did not withdraw them from the market. Those who performed the enquiry also blamed the FDA for failing to identify the potential problems sooner.
Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit Claims
Some of the thousands of lawsuits against hip implant manufacturers have been to court, and juries in some states have already awarded some plaintiffs millions of dollars to compensate for the injuries. Cases against at least one company have been combined through a process known as multidistrict litigation. The lawsuits are tried before a single district judge, allowing the discovery process to go much more quickly. Another benefit of MDL is that the outcomes are less likely to have discrepancies because of inconsistencies in the court system.
How a Missouri Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit Can Help
Device makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, 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 the fault of others may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one with the help of a Missouri metal hip replacement lawsuit attorney.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Missouri. 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.
