Should You File a Wright Medical Hip Replacement Lawsuit?

Hip replacement devices are intended to improve mobility and relieve the pain of deteriorating joints, and for many people they are a medical miracle. For thousands of others, however, these dreams have become a nightmare of severe pain and permanent disability.

Wright Medical hip replacement lawsuits have been filed to claim compensation for these life-changing injuries resulting from their hip replacement technology. With approximately 450,000 hip replacements happening each year in the United States,¹ Wright and other companies are being held accountable for defective products and the damage they cause.

Complications of Hip Replacement Surgery

Evidence suggests that people who have hip replacement surgery using a metal-on-metal design are more likely to experience complications.² Metal-on-metal joint replacement devices can release metal fragments into adjoining joint tissue, causing bone loss and joint destabilization.

Issues with these devices which might be reported in Wright hip replacement lawsuits include:

• Severe pain with loss of mobility
• Infection or inflammation surrounding the device
• Metal ions which accumulate in the body, causing metal poisoning
• Disturbing crunching or popping noises in the joint
• Damage to the heart, thyroid, and kidneys
• Problems with vision, hearing, mood, and cognition related to the nervous system
• The need for revision surgery to replace the implant and repair joint damage
• Permanent disability, pain, and suffering³

Who Is Most at Risk for Hip Replacement Complications?

While it is impossible to predict who will have an adverse reaction to their hip implant, the FDA considers some patients to be at a higher risk of having a serious systemic reaction to the device.

These are individuals who:

• Have bilateral implants (on both sides of the body)
• Have small femoral heads (small bones, more likely to be female)
• Are taking high doses of corticosteroids
• Have existing kidney problems or signs of renal insufficiency
• Had devices poorly placed during implantation
• Have a sensitivity to metals, including cobalt, nickel, or chromium
• Are severely overweight
• Have high levels of physical activity³

Which Hip Replacement Models Cause These Issues?

Many companies including Wright Medical have hip replacement recalls in place due to known issues with their metal-on-metal designs. In the span of 11 years, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has tracked more than 578 hip replacement recalls by 6 notable manufacturers.⁴

These companies had the most recalls:

• Biomet ( M2a Magnum)
• DePuy (ASR Acetabular & Resurfacing System)
• Smith & Nephew ( R3 Acetabular, Modular SMF, Modular Redapt Femoral Hip Systems)
• Stryker (Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Recall)
• Zimmer (Durom Acetabular Component)
• Wright Medical (Conserve Plus, Dynasty, and Profemur Z Hip Stem)

Wright Medical Hip Lawsuits and Settlements

More than 2,000 Wright hip replacement lawsuits have been filed, and many of these were consolidated in February of 2012 into Multi-District Litigation. Wright hip replacement settlements were reached in 2016 for a total of $240 million dollars, with an additional $90 million dollars for remaining claims.⁵

The decision to make settlement offers was partly motivated by a single patient in Georgia who was awarded $11 million in a 2015 Wright Medical hip lawsuit. Many individuals have yet to receive the Wright Medical hip settlement payments to which they are entitled.

In addition to the medical injury lawsuits, the federal government filed a suit against Wright Medical in 2007 which was settled in 2011. All in all, there are many legal complaints against the company, and many individuals who are entitled to compensation.

In addition to the thousands of lawsuits filed against Wright Medical, these other manufacturers have mounting totals as well:⁵

• Zimmer Holding with 290 filed cases
• DePuy Orthopaedics with 14,011 filed cases
• Biomet, Inc with 978 filed cases

Are You Entitled to a Wright Hip Settlement?

If you have had a metal-on-metal or recalled hip replacement device implanted, and have experienced some of the harmful effects of metal debris or malfunction, you may be included in one of the existing Wright hip replacement settlements. Depending on your situation, you may need to file a claim directly against the manufacturer who made the device and/or the medical professional who chose it.

The first major settlement ended in 2018, but more lawsuits are being filed as more victims are coming forward each year. Victims of faulty medical devices may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages

Recent studies are finding even higher rates of failure with Wright hip implants than were previously expected. A study of the Conserve hip replacement found nearly 1 in 5 patients using the device required revision surgery in an average of 4.5 years.⁶ With this number of potential victims facing hip replacement failure or complications, you should be aware of your rights regarding financial compensation.

Consult With an Experienced Team of Medical Injury Attorneys

At Saunders & Walker P.A., we have experience helping clients navigate Wright Medical hip replacement lawsuits. We will review your case for free and work on a contingency basis, meaning we get paid when you recover damages.

If you have developed complications including metallosis, fracture, or bone infections, or been told you need a complex revision surgery to replace your medical device, contact us for more information and a free case review. No one should suffer the pain and disability caused by these defective devices, and we are here to advocate for you and your family in times of crisis.

Saunders & Walker are a trusted law firm committed to helping medical implant victims across the country. Our experienced team can provide the direction and legal guidance you need, usually at no out-of-pocket cost. Call or contact us today to find out what options are available and how we can help.

Sources:

1. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/total-hip-replacement/
2. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/safety-and-risks/metal-on-metal-hip-implant-risks
3. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/metal-metal-hip-implants/metal-metal-hip-implants-information-patients
4. https://www.drugwatch.com/hip-replacement/recalls/
5. https://ryortho.com/breaking/89-million-rids-wright-medical-of-metal-on-metal-hip-lawsuits/
6. https://www.drugwatch.com/hip-replacement/wright-medical/lawsuits/