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Numerous plaintiffs have chosen to file a Biomet hip lawsuit, following injuries they claim were caused by the company's M2a Hip Implant. All of the lawsuits, currently pending in a consolidated litigation underway in U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana, allege the M2a Magnum’s all-metal design can cause a variety of complications that will ultimately lead to premature failure of the device. Endorsed by Olympic gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, Biomet introduced the M2a Magnum hip in 2004, promising it would provide younger, more active patients more range of motion. But by 2011, at least 450 complaints had been reported to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) regarding the all-metal device. Like similar hip devices, in which the ball and cup consist of a chromium cobalt alloy, this Biomet hip system was approved via the FDA’s 510(k) testing protocols, which do not require human clinical trials. Due to the high number of complication reports associated with metal-on-metal hips, the FDA has proposed a new rule that would make them ineligible for 510(k) approvals. Symptoms that might indicate a Biomet M2a Magnum hip has failed include: • Hip pain • A grinding sensation in the hip region • Audible popping, clicking sounds coming from the joint. When a hip implant fails, revision surgery is usually needed to replace the device. However, because of the bone and tissue damage often associated with metal hip complications, many revision patients never fully recover from their injuries. As of March 2013, more than 140 lawsuits involving the M2a Magnum were pending in the consolidated litigation underway in Indiana. Plaintiffs allege these devices can shed dangerous amounts of metal ions through wear, leading to a variety of complications, including tissue death, pseudotumors, groin pain, swelling, and loosening of the implant leading to dislocation or fracture. Plaintiffs who filed a Biomet hip lawsuit further allege that the company knew of the problems associated with the M2a Magnum, but concealed these risks from the public and medical community. The litigation for Biomet hip lawsuits was established by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in the expectation that a large number of claims would be filed in association with this hip device. On April 22nd, the judge overseeing the litigation held a Status Conference, where issues involving discovery and depositions were addressed. The Court also scheduled the next Status Conference in the Biomet hip replacement litigation for June 17, 2013.
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