Artificial Hip Replacement Injury
Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Tennessee's Gilreath & Associates help patients correct issues related to faulty hip replacement devices
Hip replacement surgery has been going on for three centuries now. An estimated 245,000 undergo artificial hip surgery every year in the U.S., and just under one-third of these operations involved metal-on-metal devices up until 2007. But all that has changed in the last few years as a growing number of patients are turning to medical malpractice lawyers for help in filing an injury claim for faulty hip replacement devices.
Once seen as the innovators of modern medical hip treatment, companies like DePuy, Sulzer, and Zimmer are now shelling out millions of dollars to answer for faulty metal-on-metal hip replacement devices that wear out prematurely and expose patients to toxic poisons like Cobalt.
In response, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recalls and warnings, urgently cautioning people to consult with their orthopedic surgeon about the risks of metal-on-metal hip implants.
Side Effects of Faulty Artificial Hips
Faulty metal-on-metal hip implants have been linked to the following conditions:
- Hip dislocation
- Exposure to toxic substances in the bloodstream (leading to skin rashes, sensory impairment, depression, thyroid dysfunction, and more)
- Bone loss
- Inflammatory reactions
- Premature device failure
- Death of surrounding tissue
- Corrosion
- Pseudotumors
- Metallosis
The side effects of faulty implants can take several years to emerge, and can have serious life-long implications on a patient's general health and well-being.
What should I do if a defective product has injured my family or me?
- Secure the product in a safe place.
- Secure any documentation about the product including packaging, manuals, instruction booklets etc.
- Do not give the product to the manufacturer for "testing." All defective product cases are won or lost in the early days following the accident. Remember, a defective product must be secured immediately. Never assume that no one will want the wreckage of a destroyed automobile or ATV. Manufacturers are always on the lookout to secure and destroy evidence. If the evidence cannot be bought or found put everyone on notice, including owners, tow operators, wrecking yards, police impounds, and the like. If they are directed to preserve important evidence and fail to do so, they can be subject to suit for destruction of evidence.
- Contact a lawyer. It is critical to the success of your case that you consult with a qualified attorney who specializes in product liability immediately if you have been injured by a defective product. The laws are complex and filings have a specific time limit. Do not delay in protecting your rights.
Tennessee medical malpractice attorneys at Gilreath Law help patients suffering from the side effects of metal-on-metal hip implants by getting them the just compensation they deserve.
Learn more about the risks of faulty artificial hips by visiting the FDA.gov.
Types of Faulty Hip Implants
Some of the more popular hip replacement devices that have been the subject of FDA recalls, patient lawsuits, and investigations include:
- Zimmer Biomet Metal-On-Metal Implants
- DePuy Pinnacle & ASR
- Smith & Nephew Birmingham & R3 (recalled)
- Stryker Rejuvenate Modular & ABG II
- Wright Conserve & ProFemur Z
- And others
Your Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit
If you or a loved one has a metal-on-metal hip implant, visit your doctor regularly to check for the warning signs of premature failure, especially if you have a model that has been flagged by the FDA.
And if you are suffering from the side effects of a prematurely failing artificial hip, contact a Tennessee medical malpractice lawyer at Gilreath Law to discuss your legal options. Time is crucial in medical malpractices cases, so don't hesitate. Schedule a free consultation today.