DePuy Orthopaedics is facing a new DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit from a Rhode Island couple who are filing their claim in a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the company.  Their DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit is joining a group of similar claims, each alleging serious metal hip implant injuries were caused by the allegedly defective nature of the device.

Plaintiff couple Patricia M. and James M. is conjointly filing this DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit, with Patricia claiming the metal hip implant had compounded her medical condition and permanently compromised her quality of life.

According to the DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit, Patricia underwent total right hip replacement surgery on May 31, 2006.

Patricia reportedly agreed to using the device after she and her orthopedic physician had reviewed the company’s marketing materials. It is important to note that at the time Patricia underwent hip replacement surgery, DePuy had already received hundreds of injury reports indicating their metal hip implants had failed and may have been defective.

Overview of DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit

By early 2017, Patricia had began experiencing pain in her right hip and had underwent diagnostic testing on the surgical area. Based on the pain she was experiencing and the test results, her physician had order her to undergo revision surgery to remove the metal hip components of the DePuy Pinnacle device.

Patricia underwent revision surgery on April 13, 2017, in which it was discovered that metal debris was found throughout the device’s acetabular cup as well as significant corrosion. She was diagnosed with blood metal poisoning (metallosis) and device failure, which ultimately forced her to undergo the revision surgery described in her DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit.

Patricia and her husband are filing their DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit, alleging the company either knew or should have known about the device’s defective nature. Patricia alleges the DePuy Pinnacle device comes with the same risks exhibited in the DePuy ASR and ASR XL metal hip implants, which were later recalled from the market.

Over 93,000 ASR and ASR XL metal hip implants were recalled due to reports of problems indicating metallosis and other complications.

When metal hip implants were released into the market, they were thought to be overtly superior to ceramic and plastic models. Manufacturers advertised these products as being more durable and longer lasting than other models, claiming they could better handle harsher movements like running. This made all metal hip implants very popular among younger patients, as most of these patients want to live more active lifestyles.

Not long after metal hip implants were released into the market, however, reports of metallosis and device failure were reported to health officials. Metallosis occurs when metal ion levels in the blood are at dangerously high levels, which can compound the patient’s condition.

Metal hip implants can cause this with the interaction of the device’s ball and socket joints interacting. This can cause the metal hip components to corrode or fret, along with giving way for the formation of pseudotumors. These metal hip implant complications often force patients to undergo revision surgery.

Patricia and James are filing their DePuy Pinnacle lawsuit in MDL No. 2244, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

This DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-02301-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.