Friday, March 28, 2014

What is the Latest Update on the DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant Litigation?

According to court documents, over 5,600 DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits are pending in an MDL which is currently underway in the Northern District of Texas, U.S. District Court. These lawsuits allege injury from the metal-on-metal version of the DePuy Pinnacle hip implant which utilizes the Ultamet metal-on-metal Pinnacle liner. Plaintiffs are questioning whether the DePuy Pinnacle should have been recalled along with the DePuy ASR, which was recalled in August, 2010. The first federal trials for the Pinnacle are expected to begin in September, 2014.

                     

FDA Alert Issued Regarding the DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant, But No Recall

Although the Pinnacle hip device has not been recalled, the FDA issued an alert in January, 2013, cautioning all those who had received a metal Pinnacle to undergo metal ion blood testing should they experience any adverse medical symptoms related to the device such as symptoms of chromium and cobalt poisoning and DePuy Pinnacle metallosis. Court documents claim that the all-metal design (when used with the Ultamet metal-on-metal liner) can lead to dangerous amounts of microscopic metal ion debris being released into the body.

 

Adverse Health Issues Associated With the DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant

When the metal shards enter the hip tissue, inflammation, pain in the hip, groin and thigh, deterioration of bone and tissue and the failure of the hip implant are possible. The metal ions entering the bloodstream can cause chromium and cobalt poisoning and can be responsible for the following: vision and hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological, cardiovascular, renal and thyroid issues, depression, anxiety, irritability, reproductive disorders, the alteration of DNA, the development of pseudo-tumors, rashes, vertigo and certain types of cancer.

 

Was DePuy Aware of the Problems Associated With the Pinnacle?

Despite known issues with the DePuy Pinnacle hip implant, there was no recall; DePuy merely discontinued the metal liner in mid-2013. Over 1,300 adverse event reports were submitted to the FDA regarding harm suffered from the Pinnacle, yet DePuy steadfastly maintains there is no defect in the design of the Pinnacle. More than one DePuy lawsuit alleges DePuy was well aware of the safety hazards of the Pinnacle, yet concealed the defects, misrepresenting to patients that the implant was both safe and effective.

 

Is the Pinnacle as Dangerous as the ASR?

Court records indicate about 140,000 U.S. citizens are recipients of the Pinnacle hip implant, which received FDA approval in 2000. The FDA recommended stricter regulations for all metal-on-metal hip implants, including requirements that the manufacturers of the all-metal hip implants conduct more safety studies, if they intend to continue selling their metal-on-metal hip implants. Although both the DePuy Pinnacle and the ASR hip implant have caused significant amounts of harm to patients implanted with the devices, the Pinnacle has been on the market much longer.

 

The DePuy Pinnacle hip implant uses a separate liner—metal or plastic—which was not included in the FDA approval. The Pinnacle is attached with screws, unlike the ASR which uses a porous coating. Both the ASR and the DePuy Pinnacle hip implant have failure rates of at least 12% by the end of the first five years after surgery. If you are the recipient of a DePuy Pinnacle hip implant which utilized an Ultamet metal-on-metal Pinnacle liner, it could be to your advantage to speak to a DePuy Pinnacle hip lawyer.

Print
0 Comments
Please login or register to post comments.

WARNING: Do not send any information in any email through this website if you consider the information confidential or privileged.

I understand that by submitting my contact information to Sullo & Sullo LLP for review, I consent to messages regarding this legal matter as well as marketing for other potential legal matters in the future without limitation at standard messaging and data rates unless terminated by me in writing. I further understand that my submission of any and all information in response to this website does NOT create a lawyer-client relationship between myself and Sullo & Sullo, LLP and/or its lawyers, and that any and all information submitted is NOT confidential or privileged. I further acknowledge that, unless Sullo & Sullo, LLP subsequently enters into an Attorney-Client relationship with me, any and all information I provide will NOT be treated as confidential or privileged, and any such information may be used against me and/or for the benefit of current or future clients of Sullo & Sullo, LLP. ...READ ENTIRE DISCLAIMER
Receive an Immediate Response
ANDREW SULLO IS A TOP 100 NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYER 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019
Obtener una Respuesta Inmediata
Andrew Sullo – 100 Mejores Abogados Nacional | 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017


4.6/5.0

STARS ON YELP
WITH OVER 400 REVIEWS*

*AS OF 2024



Andrew Sullo has been named a

TOP 100 NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYER*
2013-2024

*BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS

 

CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION
(800) 730-7607
CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION (713) 839-9026 CALL NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION (713) 335-9485


Andrew Sullo is a recipient of the

AVVO CLIENT'S CHOICE AWARD*
2016, 2017, 2019-2024

*GIVEN BY AVVO


Justice

Andrew Sullo is a Member of the

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF JUSTICE
2013-2024

*GRANTED BY THE AAJ

 

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF ANOTHER, CONTACT SULLO & SULLO IMMEDIATELY.
CALL NOW
(800) 730-7607
CALL NOW
(713) 839-9026
CALL NOW
(713) 335-9485

GET LEGAL HELP