It has been almost two years since Stryker recalled their Rejuvenate hip implants and ABG II hip stems. In July 2012, the hip implant company took the product off the market after post-market data indicated the metal components were prone to fretting and corrosion at the modular neck junction, placing recipients at risk for pain, swelling, adverse local tissue reactions, and premature failure of their hip implant.
Although they removed these products from the market, so many people already had the implants and were experiencing complications. Some of the complications were tissue inflammation, warmth and pain, swelling around the joint, which the hip implant was supposed to relieve, not exacerbate. Some affected patients have suffered loosening of the joint, metal poisoning and risk of corrosion, resulting in the need for revision surgery.
Even to this day, lawsuits continue to be filed against Stryker. So far, Rejuvenate and ABG II recipients who have experienced complications from the Stryker hip recall and have already sought compensation, have gained reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
All patients fitted with Rejuvenate and ABG II hip stems have been advised by Stryker to undergo imaging and blood tests to ensure their hips are functioning properly, even if they are not experiencing symptoms. There are some asymptomatic patients who have nevertheless suffered adverse local tissue reactions and had elevated levels of metal ions in their blood, according to the company. This can result in metallosis, adverse local tissue reactions, necrosis, osteolysis and failure of the hip.
Stryker has been sending follow up statements on a regular basis, warning physicians and patients of the need for metal contamination blood and imaging tests for anyone with a Rejuvenate component or an ABG II stem.
The growing number of lawsuits shows that progress is being made, but there is still a long way to go in eliminating these defective devices and the harm they continue to cause. Early medical examination could help prevent future complications and revision operations.
Even though some settlements are being reached with these companies, recipients of defective hip implants who have not filed a claim are still eligible to seek compensation for defective hip implants.
Stryker recently announced that it settled four Rejuvenate and ABG II hip implant lawsuits in New Jersey. The hip implant legal claims were settled for an undisclosed amount of money. Stryker faces approximately 1,000 lawsuits, and this number continues to grow, related to problems with their defective hip implants.
Just yesterday it was reported that Biomet would pay at least $56 million to settle a Multidistrict litigation relating to defective metal hip replacements according to a court filing. According to the article, “plaintiffs who have received a Biomet M2a or M2a Magnum hip replacement system as part of an initial hip replacement that was rectified more than 180 days after it was implanted shall receive a base award of $200,000.”
Last November, Johnson & Johnson announced a $2.5 billion settlement agreement over its own defective hip implants. The settlement agreement proposes to resolve 8,000 claims filed by patients who received Johnson & Johnson’s defective DePuy Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) Hip System devices. Under the settlement plan, the typical patient payment for pain and suffering caused by the defective hip implant would be approximately $250,000 before fees, according to the New York Times. Internal documents revealed that DePuy Orthopaedics estimated that the hip implant would fail within five years in 40 percent of the patients who received it.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Rejuvenate or ABG II hip stems, you could be eligible for compensation for your injury-related damages, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. For more information you can contact one of our Gacovino Lake attorneys at 1-800-246-HURT (4878).
