Over the past two weeks, medical device maker Stryker Orthopaedics has been hit with at least four new lawsuits filed on behalf of consumers who claim that they have suffered problems associated with the company’s Rejuvenate hip replacement system. All of the product liability lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, against Howmedica Osteonics and its Stryker Orthopaedics subsidiary, alleging that the firm failed to adequately research the design of its unique modular femoral component, or warn about the risk of complications possibly causing the device to fail within just a few years. If you have been adversely affected by a Stryker hip implant or another potentially faulty medical device, our attorneys at AMA Law can help you pursue the financial compensation you deserve.
STRYKER HIP IMPLANT RECALLED OVER COMPLICATIONS
Unlike traditional hip implant systems, which are made up of a single femoral component, the Stryker Rejuvenate hip featured a two-part neck and stem design, which allowed surgeons to customize the length of the device to match the patient. Unfortunately, while other hip replacements are expected to last 15 to 20 years, Stryker’s implant was recalled only three years after it was introduced. In June 2012, Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABG II modular neck hip stems were recalled, and the company acknowledged that the components were prone to fretting and corrosion at the junction of the modular neck, possibly resulting in swelling, pain and catastrophic failure of the hip implant.
HIP IMPLANT FAILURE RATE HIGHER THAN EXPECTED
Serious concerns have been raised about the safety of artificial hip implants in recent years, particularly since DePuy Orthopaedics’ metal-on-metal ASR hip replacement system was recalled in August 2010. As more information about the potential dangers of all-metal hip implants comes to light, it is now being reported that DePuy’s parent company Johnson & Johnson may have known about the risks associated with its hip system long before the implant was removed from the market. In addition, J&J’s estimates indicating that 12% to 13% of its artificial hips were failing within five years was found to be grossly inaccurate, according to a New York Times report published last week, which put the number closer to 37%.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS TO FILE A CLAIM
Throughout the past six months, a growing number of product liability lawsuits have been filed against Stryker in courts throughout the United States. Each of the complaints involves similar allegations that the medical device maker failed to properly report complaints of issues with the Rejuvenate system to the FDA in a timely manner, and that the manufacturer attempted to minimize and withhold information about the problems, allowing sales to continue and putting consumers at risk for future complications. If you have suffered serious injuries caused by the Stryker hip replacement system or another hip implant, or if your implant failed prematurely, don’t hesitate to protect your legal rights. Consult our knowledgeable lawyers at AMA Law to discuss filing a product liability claim and seeking fair and timely reimbursement for your injuries.