A new Biomet hip replacement lawsuit was filed in federal court as part of the current Biomet multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket for the Northern District of Indiana. The metal hip implant lawsuit alleges that the plaintiffs were forced to endure unnecessary pain and suffering caused by Biomet Inc.’s defective and dangerous metal on metal hip replacement device.

The Biomet hip implant lawsuit is brought by Brigid R. and her husband Timothy R., who are residents of Arkansas. In March of 2007, Brigid underwent hip replacement surgery on her left hip and received a Biomet M2A-Magnum metal on metal hip replacement.

The Biomet hip implant lawsuit alleges that after her hip replacement surgery, Brigid began to experience several adverse symptoms caused by the metal on metal hip replacement. These symptoms included debilitating pain, discomfort, and loss in rage of motion. In January 2009, Brigid underwent a hip revision surgery to remove the defective Biomet hip implant.

Brigid’s husband joined the hip implant lawsuit as a co-plaintiff and is bringing a loss of consortium claim against Biomet. A loss of consortium claim alleges that the plaintiff’s spouse suffered from a loss of spousal intimacy due to the defendant’s intentional or negligent actions. These claims are usually brought in hopes of increasing an award or settlement.

Biomet Hip Replacement Lawsuits

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has received over 100 adverse event reports relating to the Biomet metal on metal hip replacement implant. Many of these reports suggest that Biomet’s M2A-Magnum metal on metal hip replacement have a much shorter life expectancy than advertised and patients who receive these implants often suffer serious adverse side effects. Others report that patients have had to undergo revision surgery to remove the defective hip implant. Side effects associated with Biomet’s metal on metal hip implant include: an increased risk of cancer due to the leaking of toxic substances from the implant, degenerative heart disease cardiomypathy, non-cancerous tumors surrounding the implant, and premature failure of the device.

Lawsuits against the company allege that Biomet aggressively marketed the device to medical professionals, misrepresenting the effectiveness, safety, and longevity of the hip replacement device. Many of the Biomet lawsuits, including the lawsuit referenced above, also claim that Biomet attempted to conceal knowledge of serious complications and unfavorable statistics from the orthopedic surgeons the company was targeting. Claims against Biomet mention strict products liability, negligence, fraud and misrepresentation, and breach of warranty.

Due to the large number of Biomet lawsuits filed in federal courts, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) panel has been initiated in Indiana. This funnels Biomet lawsuits under the supervision of a single court, which helps create consistent pretrial motions and discovery rulings as well as improves the efficiency of the lawsuits during the trial stages. Awards and settlements from these Biomet lawsuits will help victims pay for both past and future medical bills. Metal hip lawsuit awards will also compensate these alleged victims for their pain and suffering.

This Biomet Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit is Case No. 3-15-cv-00178, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division.