Pittsburgh Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Lawyer

Patients who have a metal-on-metal hip replacement may become ill as small pieces of metal enter their bloodstream, according to a consumer safety warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA). If you or a loved one received a metal-on-metal hip replacement and subsequently developed pain in your legs, groin, or hip, please call your doctor right away. Then, call Berger and Green.

You may be entitled to compensation for damages such as the cost of more surgery, lost pay, and pain and suffering. Our metal-on-metal replacement parts lawsuit lawyers will protect your rights as a victim of a potentially defective and dangerous device. To learn more, call a metal-on-metal hip replacement parts lawsuit lawyer Berger and Green at 412-661-1400 today.

How to Learn if You Have a Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement

Most people know what kind of hip replacement device they are receiving before they have orthopedic surgery. If you are not sure, ask your surgeon or request your medical records to check for yourself. It is more likely that you could have a recalled metal-on-metal hip replacement if you had surgery prior to May of 2016.

Why Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements Cause Problems

Metal-on-metal hip replacement parts have chromium and cobalt ions. These metal particles are released into surrounding tissue and the bloodstream during normal movement. Over time, patients are at risk for bone and tissue loss and damage, device failure, and potentially deadly complications from elevated levels of chromium and cobalt in the body.

To date, three metal-on-metal hip replacement manufacturers have issued product recalls. These recalled products are:

• DePuy’s ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System
• R3 Acetabular System and Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) System from Smith & Nephew
• Stryker’s Rejuvenate System and ABG II System

To date, the FDA has not approved any metal-on-metal total hip replacement devices marketed for use in the United States. You could be entitled to compensation even if your metal-on-metal hip replacement device was not recalled.

Biomet and Wright Medical have not recalled their metal-on-metal hip replacement parts. This does not mitigate the potential danger for patients of the following devices:

• M2A Magnum System from Biomet
• Conserve Total Hip System and Conserve Plus Total Resurfacing Hip System by Wright Medical

If you or a loved one received a metal-on-metal hip replacement, even if it is not one of the products listed above, our team may be able to help you pursue compensation for your injuries, losses, and other expenses.

Adverse Side Effects From Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements

Some hip replacement parts are a combination of metal, plastic, and ceramic. While all hip replacement surgeries carry some risk, metal-on-metal hip replacements have the potential to cause unique, life-threatening side effects.

According to the FDA, the metal particles released into the body by metal-on-metal hip replacements can cause adverse medical conditions such as:

• Skin rash ranging from moderate to severe
• Cardiomyopathy, which is the name for a group of diseases that affect the heart muscle and can lead to heart failure and death
• Neurological damage with changes to hearing and vision
• Psychological and cognitive impairment
• Kidney damage
• Thyroid abnormalities

Patients with these defective medical devices may develop trouble with their gait, which could lead to difficulty walking and with normal movement.

You Could Qualify for Compensation From Defective Hip Replacement Devices

A metal-on-metal hip replacement parts lawsuit lawyer can determine if you qualify for potential compensation. While each metal-on-metal defective parts case is different, you may qualify for the damages that may include:

• Surgery to replace defective metal-on-metal hip replacement parts and to correct other associated health conditions
• Hospital bills, co-pays, deductibles, and other medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost pay
• Disability
• Loss of consortium
• Reduced quality of life

Most states have a statute of limitations on filing a claim or lawsuit for a defective product. A metal-on-metal hip replacement parts lawsuit lawyer will seek recovery on your behalf and help ensure your claim is filed within these limits. Call Berger and Green as soon as possible to see if you qualify: 412-661-1400.

Risk Factors if You Have a Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement

The chromium and cobalt ions from metal-on-metal hip replacement parts can cause cardiac, cognitive, neurological, and renal damage. However, the FDA warns that they cannot determine how much of these metals must accumulate before patients experience adverse medical effects.

Some groups of people are more at risk for the dangerous consequences of metal-on-metal hip replacement parts. Those at higher risk include:

• Patients with bilateral implants (hip replacements on both the right and left sides)
• Female patients
• Patients who receive high doses of corticosteroids
• Patients with renal function issues
• Patients with suppressed immune systems
• Patients whose device components were not placed in ideal positions
• Patients with hypersensitivity to metals
• Severely overweight patients
• Patients with elevated levels of physical activity
• Patients with resurfacing systems smaller than 44mm

The longer a metal-on-metal hip replacement stays in your system, the greater the risk to your health. It is important to act quickly if you or a loved one have a metal-on-metal hip replacement.

Our Firm Has More Than 40 Years of Legal Experience

Berger and Green’s founding partner, attorney Laurence B. Green, has been practicing law in Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania for more than 40 years. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a small, distinguished group of lawyers who have recovered awards of more than 1 million dollars.

If you are suffering from the effects of metal-on-metal hip replacement parts or injuries due to medical malpractice, we can help. Call Berger and Green today at 412-661-1400 for a free consultation.