3 min read
Introduction
Zimmer Biomet is a leading manufacturer of orthopedic and joint replacement equipment that sells over 1 million artificial hip, shoulder, and knee implants in the United States. These Zimmer Biomet hip, shoulder, and knee implants have faced a series of recalls the last several years, forcing litigation of the defective products. [1] these hip replacement implant devices are made up of prosthetic joints in pieces that are typically metal on metal technology.
Zimmer Biomet Recalls
Zimmer Biomet has filed at least 355 recalls for knee replacement devices since 2003, with the most coming in 2017. These lawsuits were consolidated in August 2011 in the Northern District of Illinois before Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer. One of the types of implant is known as the M2a Magnum Hip Implant. It was one of the most popular that was openly pushed by Biomet to be long lasting and revolutionary. However, when the metal parts rub against each other it creates microscopic shavings that are released into the hip joint, causing inflammation, loosening, and other problems that are associated with the metal hip poisoning. This has caused many of the users to undergo revisionist surgeries. These revisionist surgeries are supposed to correct the issues associated with the inflammation, and in some cases complete removal and replacement with another type of hip implant. [1]
Currently, the Biomet M2a Magnum Hip Implant Litigation is presided over by Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. The total number of cases filed our 2883 altogether, and there are no new currently pending cases in the MDL. [2] As an update, a great majority of the cases have already been paid or dismissed due to the statute of limitations. The company agreed to settle most of the lawsuits for around $56 million. For example, In the fall of 2020, a Missouri federal jury awarded the plaintiff in a Biomet Magnum hip implant case $21 million in compensatory damages. Furthermore, in 2021 a 3.55 million dollar verdict was given to an Iowa woman.[4]
The Zimmer Versys Femoral Head, M/L Taper Hip Prothesis, and Kinectiv Technology are other types of hip implants that were also recalled. In the case of the M/L Taper Hip Prostheses, the utilization of titanium alloy and metal on metal construction led to the eventual recall, whereas the Versys Femoral Heads (made of a cobalt-chromium alloy) were another type. [1] The Zimmer Versys Hip Femoral Head and Zimmer M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis are alleged to be obviously flawed and dangerously incompatible when implanted together, with a proclivity to corrode between the components. Currently, there are about 292 cases pending out of 300 total actions. The MDL is presided before Judge Paul Crotty in the Southern District of New York. [2]
Michael Brady Lynch Firm
Here at the Michael Brady Lynch firm, we litigate strict product liability cases such as the Zimmer Biomet defective hip implant device. If you or a loved one have been injured by an implant device, please call us at 888-585-5970.
Date: July 22, 2022
Author: Brandon Salter
Citations
[1] https://www.consumeralertnow.com/defective-devices/zimmer-hips-shoulder-knee
[2] https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_District-Jul-15-2022.pdf
