October 2, 2014 — A man who had an allergic reaction to cobalt and nickel in the Stryker Triathlon knee replacement has filed a lawsuit in Colorado.
The case was allowed to move forward based on failure-to-warn and negligence claims, according to HarrisMartin.
However, District Judge R. Brooke Jackson dismissed claims involving defective design and breach of implied and express warranty. Judge Jackson found that the Triathlon was not necessarily defective because some people might be allergic to metal.
The plaintiff says Stryker should have warned about the need to test for metal allergies before implanting the Triathlon. Haffner is allergic to cobalt and nickel, but he was unaware that the Trathlon is made from cobalt and nickel.
Haffner had to have another surgery to remove the Triathlon and replace it with another knee implant. He is now seeking compensation for physical and emotional pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, lost income, lost wages, decreased enjoyment of life, and more.
In 2013, Stryker recalled the ShapeMatch cutting guide, which was used exclusively with the Triathlon knee implant. The problem could result in a patient receiving a poorly-fitted knee implant. Problems are usually apparent within one year after surgery.
Stryker is also facing thousands of lawsuits from people who were injured by the Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implants. They were recalled in July 2012 after reports of premature fretting and corrosion. Some patients developed metal toxicity that caused chronic pain, tissue reactions, swelling, and other complications. Many also needed revision surgery.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
