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Defense Verdict in 1st Zimmer Durom Hip Implant Trial

December 4, 2014 — A jury in Illinois has cleared Zimmer of liability in the first “bellwether” trial involving the Durom Cup, a metal-on-metal hip replacement that was pulled off the market in 2008, according to Law360.

After a three-week trial, the jury found that Zimmer adequately warned the plaintiff, John Pugilese, 61, about the risks associated with the Durom Cup. Pugilese received the implant in 2008, but needed revision surgery a few months later after the implant failed.

Attorneys for Zimmer told Law360 that Pugilese developed an infection soon after the Durom Cup was implanted. This may have prevented the bone from growing onto the implant and stabilizing it, contributing to its failure.

Zimmer is facing about 350 similar claims, which generally allege that the metal-on-metal hip implants are defective because they can loosen prematurely, generate toxic metal debris, and cause complications like metallosis, tissue damage, and chronic pain.

About 12,000 people were implanted with the device between 2006 and 2006. Some surgeons estimate that 20-30% of the implants fail prematurely and need revision surgery.

The next lawsuit to go to trial will begin in January 2015 in Los Angeles Superior Court. The plaintiff, 58 year-old Gary Kline, had to have the Zimmer Durom Cup removed less than a year after he received the implant in 2007.

Much of the Durom Cup litigation has been centralized in New Jersey federal court since 2010, where U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton oversees the Multi-District Litigation (MDL).

Do I have a Zimmer Durom Hip Implant Lawsuit?

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Zimmer Durom induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by side effects of a metal-on-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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