Elder Law

DePuy Hip Recall Lawsuits Continue To Mount

By Levin & Perconti

As we?ve previously reported, the problem with the DePuy hip implants was uncovered last year, prompting the official recall in August of 2010. Many victims of the recall are senior citizens and nursing home residents. Complaints about the devices go back to 2005. Nearly 100,000 patients received the specific metal-on-metal implant in question in the six years it was used. At least 12,000 of those patients will likely face severe complications as the device fails, requiring corrective surgery. Many of those patients may not be aware of their risk.

The failure of the devices caused metallic particles to be released in patient bodies. The particles then may enter the bloodstream ultimately risking a range of problems from deafness and dementia to heart failure. The consequences cannot be overstated.

Just this week WHEC News reported on even more DePuy hip recall lawsuits. Seven people have recently filed suit against the manufacturer of the defective hip implants, DePuy Orthopaedics. One of the victims had the cobalt and chromium implant that began dispelling metal shaving into his body. Those shavings eventually made their way into the man?s bloodstream, causing extreme inflammation. Only a year and a half later, he needed replacement surgery.

His story is the same one faced by many other victims. One attorney explained the conduct of the business responsible for the problem, ?this company had basically wanted to continue to make money off of these implants as long as they could, and as a result a lot of people have been. [will]?have multiple surgeries.?

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on March 06, 2011 (boomark / email).