If you reside in Georgia and were implanted with a Stryker Hip Implant, you may be looking for a Stryker Hip Attorney. If you are a Stryker hip implant recipient who has had difficulties with your device, it is important to have a competent Stryker hip attorney by your side now and in the future.
Stryker Lawsuits
Over 160 lawsuits have been filed against Stryker and it is expected that many more will be filed over the next year. At the time of the Stryker recall the company stated the risk of failure for the ABGII and Rejuvenate to be approximately 12%. Independent studies have put that number much higher. A qualified Stryker Hip Attorney understands how difficult the decision to file a lawsuit against a defective device manufacturer can be, and will work hard to protect your rights and preserve your case. The lawsuits against Stryker are likely to allege failure to warn on the part of Stryker, insinuating that the company may have known of the potential risks of the ABGII and Rejuvenate well before the recall.
Risks of the Stryker ABGII and Rejuvenate
At the time of the recall, Stryker stated the risks of fretting and corrosion, leading to the release of metal ions and total hip failure. When metal ions are released into the surrounding hip tissue, inflammation, chronic pain and deterioration or death of tissue and bone are all potential symptoms. When the tissue and bone have broken down significantly, the hip implant will fail, requiring revision surgery. Should the cobalt and chromium ions enter the bloodstream, metal toxicity is a potential risk. Metal toxicity symptoms include: gastrointestinal, renal, thyroid, cardiovascular and neurological issues, loss of vision and hearing, vertigo, memory loss, the formation of pseudo-tumors and even disruption of DNA.
The Differences in Stryker Recalled Hip Devices
Some valid Stryker cases have been minimized on the premise that the recalled ABGII and Rejuvenate are not “true” metal-on-metal hip implants. Rather than a cobalt and chromium ball and cup, these two Stryker models implement a ceramic femoral head and acetabular cup. For this reason, it was originally believed there was no risk of metal toxicity from the ABGII and Rejuvenate hip devices. Later, it was found that the metal neck juncture in many implants was experiencing fretting and corrosion, releasing metal ions just like the other all-metal hip implants.
How a Stryker Hip Attorney Can Help With Your Case
Revision surgery for patients with a failed Stryker ABGII or Rejuvenate can be both expensive and risky, requiring several hours to complete as well as a recovery time as long as six weeks. A Stryker Hip Attorney can help Georgia patients pursue compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Stryker Hip Attorney can also help Georgia Stryker Hip Implant Recipients ensure they do not miss the statute of limitations—which varies from state to state.