Zimmer Inc. has been ordered to pay more than $2 million to a New Mexico man for a defective hip implant with an “unreasonably dangerous design,” following a 2-week bench trial.
Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one had problems after hip replacement surgery, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
What’s the Problem?
April 5, 2017 - According to the lawsuit, Plaintiff Michael Brian McDonald underwent hip replacement surgery in June 2010 with Zimmer’s dual modular hip implant, the M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis with Kinectiv Technology (“MLTK”) and a cobalt-chromium head.
Less than a year after surgery, McDonald began suffering from hip and groin pain and loss of flexibility. As a result of these problems, he was forced to undergo 2 corrective surgeries during which the doctor implanted two new prostheses and replaced the cobalt-chromium head with a ceramic head, according to the lawsuit.
Judge Nan G. Nash ruled that the defective design and insufficient testing of the Zimmer hip implant caused McDonald severe, potentially irreversible harm including “metallosis,” a type of metal poisoning that occurs when the metal joints rub against each other and shed tiny ions into the tissues and bloodstream.
“It is more probable than not that Plaintiff will need a third, more complicated revision surgery in the future,” Judge Nash wrote. “This surgery will cost approximately $250,000 and will involve removal of all of the implant components for a period of 2-3 months to try and kill the infection, during which Plaintiff will be wheelchair bound.”
In determining the $2.027 million in damages, Nan awarded $1 million for pain and suffering, $480,000 for lost enjoyment of life, and the rest for past and future medical expenses, lost household services, and out-of-pocket expenses.
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Do I Have a Zimmer Hip Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in hip replacement lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new hip injury cases in all 50 states.
Free Case Evaluation: Again, if you had hip replacement complications, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.
