Stryker Hip Settlement Alert for Salt Lake City, Utah 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.
Understanding the Salt Lake City, Utah Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Statute of Limitations
There have been thousands of people affected by the metal hip debacle; many of those have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer responsible for their injuries, others have not yet done so. If you are one of the many people who suffered injury from a metal hip implant, it is important that you understand the Salt Lake City, Utah Stryker Rejuvenate hip statute of limitations. Many people believed they were receiving a safe implant, only to find out later there were many risks involved with their metal hip device, whether that device was a Stryker Rejuvenate or ABGII, a DePuy Pinnacle or ASR, a Biomet, Wright, Zimmer Durom or Smith Nephew implant.
A very important consideration is the Salt Lake City, Utah Stryker Rejuvenate hip statute of limitations. The state of Utah, like many other states, allows two years from the date your injury occurs to bring a civil cause of action. Determining when your injury occurred can be more difficult than it appears. Many people are not aware of the risks associated with metal hip implants and may chalk their symptoms up to aging or other health problems. The only way to know for sure when your Salt Lake City, Utah Stryker ABGII hip statute of limitations will run is to contact a knowledgeable Salt Lake City, Utah hip metallosis attorney.
What Causes Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Metal Debris?
During periods of activity, the components of metal hip implants can rub against one another, causing microscopic metal ions to shear away from the device, traveling to the bloodstream or burrowing into nearby hip tissues. This Stryker ABGII hip metal debris and lead to serious Stryker Rejuvenate hip dangers. The cobalt and chromium ions can lead to Stryker Rejuvenate hip chromium and cobalt poisoning or DePuy ASR hip metallosis. If you experience any adverse effects associated with your metal hip implant, it is important that you seek medical and legal assistance.
Were You Affected by the DePuy ASR Hip Recall?
The DePuy ASR hip recall was issued in August, 2010, while the Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall and the Stryker ABGII hip recall were both issued in July, 2012. Prior to the Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall Stryker issued an Urgent Field Safety Notification to surgeons and hospitals, warning that the Rejuvenate and the ABGII both had higher-than-normal failure rates and that fretting and corrosion were more likely at the neck/stem junction, leading to the release of excessive amounts of metal ions. More than 300 adverse event reports were sent to the FDA before the Stryker Rejuvenate hip recall, however Stryker’s recall was voluntary.
Have You Developed Symptoms of DePuy Pinnacle Hip Metallosis?
When the tiny metal particles lodge in the hip tissues, the patient may experience serious symptoms associated with DePuy Pinnacle hip metallosis. These symptoms can include chronic and worsening pain in the hip area, the groin or the upper thigh. Inflammation will occur, as the body’s response to the foreign metal bodies, although the body will be unable to eliminate the ions, and the immune system will be weakened. Bone and tissue will begin to deteriorate, and can eventually die when enough cobalt and chromium ions are found in the hip tissues. The hip device can loosen from the femur, and can fail altogether, leaving the patient immobile. When DePuy ASR hip metallosis is severe enough, hip revision surgery will be necessary; the device will be removed and replaced with a ceramic or polyethylene hip device.
The Many Symptoms of Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Chromium and Cobalt Poisoning
When cobalt and chromium ions travel to the bloodstream, a healthy body with good renal functions will excrete a certain amount of the ions. As the metal ions continue to be released, they will build to a level that the body simply can’t handle. Since one of the symptoms of Stryker Rejuvenate hip chromium and cobalt poisoning is decreased renal functioning, it becomes a vicious cycle; as more ions are released, the kidney function decreases and the ions build up to dangerous levels. Some of the symptoms associated with Stryker ABGII hip chromium and cobalt poisoning include the following:
· The inability of the body to properly repair DNA and DNA changes
· Hypersensitivity and extreme levels of inflammation
· Liver necrosis
· Respiratory illnesses, including asthma
· Impairment of hearing and vision
· Reproductive disorders
· Severe dermatitis
· Short-term nerve impairment
· Hypothyroidism
· Poor concentration
· Vertigo
· Fatigue
· Chronic headaches
· Neurological issues including decline of cognitive functions
· Cardiovascular issues including fatal cardiomyopathy
· Convulsions, seizures and tremors
· Atrophy of muscles
Although cobalt poisoning usually gets the greater amount of attention, chromium poisoning is equally dangerous.
The Potential Dangers of Stryker ABGII Hip Revision Surgery
While it would seem that the simple solution to metal hip-related health issues would be to remove the device in a Stryker ABGII hip revision surgery, in fact, there are a number of serious health risks associated with Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery. Revision surgery can take as long as four to five hours, leaving the patient exposed to excess bleeding, nerve impairment and infection. For the Stryker Rejuvenate hip revision surgery in particular, surgeons may have a difficult time removing the device as the stem of the implant is especially long, and is implanted deeply within the femur. In some cases, removal results in the shattering of the femur, and the patient must be wheelchair-bound until a new hip bone can be constructed. The recovery time for Stryker ABGII hip revision surgery is approximately six weeks.
The Status of Salt Lake City, Utah Hip Metallosis Litigation
Should you decide to join in the Salt Lake City, Utah hip metallosis lawsuits, it is important that you know your rights, understand your statutes of limitations and don’t miss your window of opportunity. Over 2,300 Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII hip lawsuits have been filed, with only a handful of those being settled through mediation for an undisclosed amount. Johnson & Johnson and DePuy settled approximately 7,000 ASR lawsuits toward the end of 2013, however more are pending, as well as more than 5,000 DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuits.
Could You Benefit From Speaking to a Salt Lake City, Utah Hip Recall Lawyer?
If you have suffered serious injury from a metal hip implant, speaking to a knowledgeable Salt Lake City, Utah hip metallosis attorney could be the best decision you make. Your Salt Lake City, Utah metal on metal hip lawyer will work hard to ensure your rights are protected and that your claim is filed in a timely fashion.