Stryker and DePuy Artificial Hip Device Recalls Lead to Litigation

 Posted on October 24, 2014 in Food Poisoning

Metal-on-metal hips were first marketed as providing a greater range of motion and longer lasting use for patients. However, due to poor design and performance of certain artificial hips, failure rates have rapidly increased. Medical device manufacturers Stryker and DuPuy both created and promoted products that did not undergo proper testing. As a result, many have suffered.

Reports have revealed that metal debris can slough off the artificial hip device, causing damage to surrounding tissue and entry into the bloodstream. A defective artificial hip can lead to serious conditions such as hip dislocation, disability, and permanent damage.

Two years ago, the FDA ended distribution of Stryker's Rejuvenate and ABG II artificial hip devices. Health concerns associated with these hip systems included:

• metal corrosion;
• damage to tissue, bones and organs;
• metal poisoning.

There was an increase in the number of hip revision surgeries scheduled for patients with Stryker implants. Before that, in 2005, DuPuy Orthopedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, received approval for its ASR hip device. In the years following, thousands of patients experienced complications similar to the effects of Stryker's hip implants.

Lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson claimed the company failed to adequately warn doctors and the general public about the dangers associated with their medical device. The medical manufacturer voluntarily recalled its ASR hip device in 2010.

Three years later, Johnson & Johnson was involved in a nearly $3 billion settlement agreement with an estimated 8,000 patients who suffered from a defective DePuy ASR hip implant device. Those who are victims of a defective device may not only experience pain, but face irreversible damage costly both to their health and finances.

If you or a loved one have an artificial hip and have experienced complications in Illinois, contact an Arlington Heights defective medical device attorney who can provide legal counsel about your case.