Stryker Hip Settlement Alert for Charleston, West Virginia Residents - there has been a 1.4 billion dollar settlement in the Stryker Hip Implant MDL. Please take the time to get fully informed about the Stryker Master Settlement Agreement.
If you have been implanted with a metal hip device, it is important that you be aware of the Charleston, West Virginia Stryker ABGII hip statute of limitations, as it could affect your right to recovery. All states operate under statutes of limitations, which limit the amount of time allowed to file a product liability case.
Most states operate under a two year statute of limitations, and West Virginia is no exception, allowing two years from the time the injury occurs. While this sounds fairly straightforward, it is important that you not automatically assume you have missed your window of opportunity, or that you have plenty of time. A better choice is to speak to a knowledgeable Charleston, West Virginia metal on metal hip attorney who can more accurately determine when your injury occurred and when your statutes began to run.
The Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Recall
Over 20,000 defective Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII hip implants were sold prior to the Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall issued in July, 2012. The FDA approved the Rejuvenate and ABGII in 2008 and 2009, however the marketing efforts did not begin until early 2010. This means the two metal hip devices were on the market only a little more than two and a half years before the Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall occurred. The DePuy ASR hip recall was issued in August, 2010, and thousands of ASR’s were sold worldwide. The DePuy Pinnacle has not yet been recalled, although the metal liner was removed from the market in 2013.
What Causes DePuy ASR Hip Metal Debris?
You may wonder how metal ions are released into the body. When a patient with a metal hip implant engages in physical activities, the metal components of the implant rub against one another, creating friction, and fretting. In turn, tiny metal ions are shear away from the component, traveling to the hip region or to the bloodstream. DePuy ASR metal debris can cause any number of adverse health issues for the recipient. In the same way, Stryker Rejuvenate hip metal debris, Stryker ABGII hip metal debris, DePuy Pinnacle hip metal debris as well as metal debris from the Wright, Smith & Nephew, Zimmer Durom and Biomet metal hip devices can result in extremely high levels of cobalt and chromium in the body.
What are the DePuy Pinnacle Hip Dangers?
In addition to the metallosis and metal blood poisoning that is also seen in Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Implant and DePuy ASR hip implant recipients, patients with a DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant can also develop pseudo-tumors or ALVAL (aseptic lymphocyte dominated vasculitis associated lesion). Pseudo-tumors are usually non-infectious and non-cancerous, however they can occupy significant amounts of space in the hip region. One study concluded that those with metal hip implants have four times the risk of developing a pseudo tumor when they test at high levels of cobalt and chromium.
Dealing with Stryker Rejuvenate and/or Stryker ABGII Hip Metallosis
The cobalt and chromium ions which lodge in the hip tissues can result in Stryker Rejuvenate hip metallosis. The symptoms of metallosis include chronic pain in the hip, groin or leg area, and significant levels of inflammation. Stryker ABGII hip metallosis can also result in deterioration or death of the bone and tissue surrounding the hip, loosening of the hip implant and the necessity of Stryker ABGII hip revision surgery.
When Your Metal Implant Causes Stryker Rejuvenate/Stryker ABGII Hip Metal Blood Poisoning
When cobalt and chromium shards travel to the bloodstream, the kidneys will do their best to excrete the heavy metals. Those with renal impairment may find the cobalt and chromium ions build up even faster. Even well-functioning kidneys are rarely able to keep up with the heavy metal onslaught and the patient will begin testing at higher and higher levels of cobalt and chromium. Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip metal blood poisoning can cause such symptoms as:
· Vertigo
· Short-term memory loss
· Loss of vision and hearing
· Irritability, depression, anxiety
· Neurological disorders
· Cardiovascular disorders
· Renal failure
· Hypothyroidism
· Respiratory problems, including asthma
· Reproductive disorders
· DNA changes
· The development of pseudo-tumors
· Seizures
· Nerve disorders
The Dangers of Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Revision Surgery
When heavy metals reach very high levels in the bloodstream, or when the metal hip fails, the patient may be forced to undergo Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery. Those with a Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant are likely to have the most difficult revision surgery as the stem of the Stryker Rejuvenate is extremely long, and is buried deeply within the femur at the time of the original surgery. Some surgeons liken removing a Stryker Rejuvenate hip implant to removing rebar from hardened cement.
The Latest News Regarding Charleston, West Virginia Hip Metallosis Litigation
You may be entitled to file a Charleston, West Virginia hip metallosis lawsuit depending on your individual circumstances. Over 11,000 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson and Johnson and DePuy regarding the ASR. The Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII have had more than 2,300 lawsuits filed, with only seventeen settled through mediation. More Stryker lawsuits are headed to mediation and are being set for bellwether trials. DePuy settled nearly 7,000 ASR lawsuits for $2.5 billion, and the remainder of the Johnson & Johnson / DePuy ASR lawsuits are still pending.
When You Should Call an Experienced Charleston, West Virginia Hip Metallosis Lawyer
If you believe you have suffered injury from a metal hip implant, it can be advantageous for you to call a knowledgeable Charleston, West Virginia hip metallosis lawyer who will work hard to protect your rights and ensure your lawsuit is filed in a timely manner.