February 17, 2015 - Have You Suffered Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII Hip Implant Failure?
The Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip recalls likely stunned many of those with one of these implants. The Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip implant is manufactured with a modular dual section neck-stem, which allows surgeons to custom-fit the device to the individual patient according to the patient’s size, gender and level of activity. Unfortunately, despite claims that these new Stryker designs would not only last longer but would be much safer than traditional metal-on-metal implants, many patients have developed metallosis and/or Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip blood toxicity, and have been forced to undergo Stryker hip revision surgery.
The failure of the Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip implants is tied to the neck junction which can experience fretting and corrosion during periods of activity by the patient. That fretting and corrosion can lead to tiny metal ions being released into the body; some will land in the hip tissues, causing potential metallosis while others will travel to the bloodstream, causing cobalt and chromium toxicity. At the time of the recall, in July, 2012, Stryker noted a higher-than-normal rate of failure. Although the manufacturer has declined to put an exact number on that failure rate, various research has placed the risk of Stryker hip failure from 12% to as high as 65%.
What is the Status of Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII Hip Multidistrict Litigation?
As with many product liability cases, when enough cases are present, those cases may be consolidated into multidistrict litigation in order to allow the parties involved to share evidence and information and to move the process along more smoothly and quickly. Of the more than 2,300 current Stryker lawsuits, the majority have been consolidated into Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip multidistrict litigation, primarily in New Jersey and Minnesota, with some cases in Florida as well.
Judge Donovan Frank issued an order which designates how each lead case will be tried among the five case categories which include the type of implant, the date of surgery and whether revision surgery has taken place. The lead cases are known as bellwether cases, and are meant to assist all those involved in determining how various juries and judges will respond to evidence and testimony. While Stryker, unlike DePuy, has not yet admitted responsibility for manufacturing a faulty hip implant, they have estimated the cost of resolution through litigation to be in excess of $1.1 billion.
How the Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII Hip Statute of Limitations May Affect You
One of the most important things for you to be aware of regarding potential Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip lawsuits is your Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip statute of limitations. Each state has a specific amount of time in which consumers may file a product liability case, known as the statute of limitations. Most states operate under a two-year statute of limitations and Kansas is no exception, allowing two years from the date the injury occurs. While it may sound fairly straightforward, in reality the statutes of limitations can be exceptionally complex.
As an example, you may have developed health problems after being implanted with your Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip implant, but did not tie those problems to your Stryker device. Perhaps later, after you heard about the Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip recalls, you realized your injuries were directly related to a defective or dangerous Stryker hip implant. Should you exceed your statute of limitations, you could find yourself forever barred from seeking compensation from Stryker for your injuries. Speaking to a Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip lawyer could be helpful.
How a Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII Hip Lawyer Can Help
If you have suffered injury due to a Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip implant, you are strongly encouraged to speak to a Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip lawyer at the earliest possible time. As your Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip statute of limitations grows near, you need an experienced Stryker attorney by your side who can help to ensure you don’t miss any deadlines and who truly cares about your health and your future. All Kansas residents, such as those in the following locales, may want to consider joining others in Kansas Stryker Rejuvenate/ABGII hip lawsuits:
· Wichita, Kansas
· Overland Park, Kansas
· Kansas City, Kansas
· Topeka, Kansas
· Olathe, Kansas
· Lawrence, Kansas
· Shawnee, Kansas
· Manhattan, Kansas