May 27, 2014 — Two years ago, Stryker Corp. recalled the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants due to the risk of corrosion and metal poisoning (metallosis).
Since then, the company has been hit with 714 lawsuits, of which 699 are still pending in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2441) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
Plaintiffs allege that Stryker failed to adequately design, test, and warn about the risks of the Rejuvenate and ABG II until it was finally recalled in June 2012:
“This voluntary recall was initiated due to potential risks associated with modular-neck stems. These risks include the potential for fretting and/or corrosion at or about the modular-neck junction, which may result in adverse local tissue reaction, as well as possible pain and/or swelling, in or around your hip.”
The problem is that the modular-neck stem was marketed as a way to help surgeons best-fit the implant to match each patient’s unique biomechanics. Instead, it introduced a metal-on-metal component that was associated with high rates of corrosion, fretting, and metal debris around the hip implant.
Over time, metallosis causes severe pain, irritation, swelling, bone-loss, soft-tissue growth, and other complications. Patients often must undergo surgery to remove and replace the implant. Over 10,000 lawsuits have been filed by people who were injured by metal-on-metal hip implants, and over $2.5 billion has been paid in settlements.
Do I have a Hip Implant Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a metal hip implant, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Medical Device Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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