Couple Sues Stryker Over Hip Replacement Complications

Couple Sues Stryker Over Hip Replacement Complications

By Robert J. Boumis

Johnny Segura and Mary Segura of Louisiana have filed a lawsuit against Stryker Corporation over complications arising from Johnny’s metal-on-metal artificial hip implant. The Segura’s are alleging that Stryker manufactured a defective and dangerous product.

According to the lawsuit, Johnny Segura received the artificial hip implant in March of 2011. The hip implant was designed to replace both faces of the hip with metal interfacing surfaces, instead of ceramic or polymers like other artificial hip joints. After the surgery, Segura suffered from severe pain in the hip joint, to the point that he could not perform day-to-day tasks. Segura also suffered from an allergic reaction to cobalt chromium ions leached from the implant. Additionally, cobalt chromium ions can also have long-term health consequences, including issues with the nervous system, heart, kidneys, and other organs. The suit asserts this will require continuing monitoring, in addition to the medical treatment Segura has required up until this point.

It was not until 2013 that Segura learned of the July 2012 recall of the hip implant he had received. The manufacturers of the hip implant had received reports of failure of the hip implant, including issues related to leaching chromium cobalt ions, failure of the neck of the implant, and corrosion.

The lawsuit asserts that the actions of the defendants constitute negligence, fraud, and breach of warranty. Segura’s lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers knew – or reasonably should have known – about the risks associated with these implants. The lawsuit further alleges that in spite of this knowledge, the manufacturers continued to produce and market the implant, and downplayed the risks, preventing patients like Johnny Segura from having the information they needed from having the information they needed to make an informed medical decision.

The case is Johnny Joseph Segura Jr., et al v. Howmedica Osteonics Corporation, et al., Case No. 0:13-cv-02600-DWF-FLN, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Lake Charles Division.

Obtain a Free Hip Replacement Case Review

If you, or someone you care about, have faced complications from a metal-on-metal hip implant like the Stryker, you have almost certainly been through a trying ordeal. Even a textbook hip replacement surgery requires time off your feet and out of your life to recover and adapt to the new joint. When complications arise, this is compounded with medical treatment for the complications as well as invasive surgery like revision surgery – surgical correction of the implant or replacement with a different model of hip implant. This means more medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In such a situation, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed and even depressed.

But regardless of the challenges you have faced, you need to remember that you still have rights, and there are steps that you can take to regain a measure of control over the situation. You can start by visiting the Stryker, DePuy, Biomet, Wright Medical Technology & Others, Metal on Metal Investigation. Here, you can enter information about your situation for a legal review by an expert with a background in this type of litigation. The initial consultation is completely free of charge and from it, you can receive additional guidance on the best steps to take in your exact situation.