Like other metal-on-metal hip replacement implants from other companies, Wright Medical’s Conserve and Conserve Plus models have brought the manufacturer much unwanted attention and hundreds of lawsuits claiming the devices are defective. These claimants believe their hip implants cause or contribute to complications including pain and inflammation, infection, bone and tissue damage, and metal poisoning. Most of those filing lawsuits required additional surgery to repair or replace the hip implant after it failed within the first few years after placement.
If you received a Wright Medical metal-on-metal hip implant or hip replacement system and later required revision surgery because the device failed or your had other serious complications, you may be eligible to file a claim and collect compensation based on your losses. A a Wright Conserve hip implant lawsuit lawyer can explain if you qualify for compensation for your surgery costs, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Call Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., today at 800-550-0000 for a free consultation and case review. We can help you understand how you can recover compensation through a mass tort or class action lawsuit.
What Is the Issue With Wright Medical Conserve Hip Implants?
Like other products where both parts were primarily metal, Wright Medical Conserve hip implants quickly began causing problems for some people who received them.
People who suffer from injured or deteriorating hip joints often suffer pain, inflammation, stiffness, and limited mobility. They undergo major surgery to totally replace their hip joint or replace one part of the joint in order to put an end to these uncomfortable symptoms. For those who received metal-on-metal implants, though, the symptoms often reemerge. When these implants fail, implant recipients may experience distressing side effects, such as:
- Pain when standing from a seated position;
- Pain when walking;
- Limited mobility due to pain and stiffness;
- Inflammation; and
- Pain in the hips or groin.
If you received a metal-on-metal hip implant and suffer any of these symptoms, you should discuss your concerns with your primary care physician or other doctor. You may need revision surgery to replace a problematic hip implant.
If your Wright Conserve hip implant is to blame for your discomfort, give our attorneys at call today. We will review your case for free and offer advice about your legal options for compensation.
When Did the Public Become Aware of an Issue With the Wright Conserve Hip Implant?
Not long after the approval of these devices, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) began receiving reports of adverse events tied to the Conserve hip implants. The FDA raised concerns about metal-on-metal implants and total replacement systems. The organization asked Wright Medical and other manufacturers of these devices to conduct additional tests and look into company safety records. Some companies even recalled implants as a result of concerns about early device failure and other issues.
Soon after the FDA took notice of problems with metal-on-metal hip implant devices, several studies confirmed the organization’s growing worries. A March 2012 study in The Lancet found the risks were significant enough that researchers recommended phasing out this type of implant entirely and using ceramic hip implants instead. A University of Bristol study came to the same conclusion after comparing failure rates of metal-on-metal implants with the failure rates of other devices.
What Is the Current Status of the Wright Conserve Hip Implant Lawsuits?
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated all federal court cases against Wright Medical over the Conserve implants into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in February 2012 in the Northern District of Georgia. United States District Judge William S. Duffey, Jr. presides over this MDL. A few months later, in May of 2012, a Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding (JCCP) consolidated all state court cases in California under Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jane Johnson.
By consolidating cases into an MDL, plaintiffs got the benefit of a faster legal process and less associated fees and costs. In an MDL, the discovery process and pretrial proceedings occur as if all cases involve only a single plaintiff. Then, the court hears several bellwether trials to get a good idea of how a judge and jury may react to these cases. This often spurs one side or the other to agree to drop their claim or to offer a settlement.
Wright Medical opted to offer settlements to 1,292 claimants in November of 2016, shelling out $240 million. Almost a year later, in October 2017, the company announced an additional settlement worth almost $90 million to cover the remaining cases in the MDL as well as the California suits. In total, Wright Medical will pay $340 million in settlements to metal-on-metal hip implant patients.
While Wright Medical settled most of the claims against the company and few valid claims remain, we recognize there may still be some people who qualify to file a lawsuit and collect compensation. If you believe you may be one of them, do not hesitate to give us a call. It is important to note that only claimants who required revision surgery were eligible for these payouts. Those who did not require surgery, allowed the statute of limitations to expire, or required surgery more than eight years after their initial implant did not qualify for compensation.
Talk to a Wright Conserve Hip Implant Lawsuit Lawyer Today at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C.
If you received a Wright Conserve metal-on-metal hip implant and later required revision surgery to repair or replace the device, you may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer for compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or other losses. At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our defective medical device team is standing by to take your call. We can help you understand if you have a valid claim stemming from a defective metal-on-metal hip replacement implant. You can reach us at 800-550-0000. We offer complimentary consultations and handle all viable claims on a contingency fee basis.
