DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. faces a couple’s recent Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit alleging serious adverse effects and complications joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the company.

Plaintiffs David H. and Lillian H. have filed the Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit in Texas federal court. The lawsuit was filed on April 25, 2018.

According to the Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit, David is a resident and citizen of the state of Arizona.

He says that in or about 2004, he underwent a surgical procedure in which he was implanted with the Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant device in both hips. However, due to the product’s alleged defectiveness, David says that he endured damage to both his hips and body.

Accusations against the company allege that the company knew that the Pinnacle hip was defective. In fact, the plaintiffs state that by the time DePuy had sold the Pinnacle Hip device to David, “DePuy had received hundreds of complaints related to the Pinnacle Hip. Consequently, DePuy was fully aware that the Pinnacle Hip was defective and that hundreds of patients already had been injured by that defect.”

The Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit was filed on multiple counts including strict product liability, negligence, breach of implied warranty, breach of express warranty, and loss of consortium.

David demands a trial by jury.

Overview: Pinnacle Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant

There have been a multitude of side effects stemming from the Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System, a metal-on-metal (MoM) device manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics, a subdivision of Johnson & Johnson.

Some of the side effects linked to the device have included the following:

• Hip pain
• Loosening of the Pinnacle Hip Device
• Trouble standing or walking
• Difficulty weight bearing
• Hip revision surgery
• Metal poisoning, also known as metallosis

The Pinnacle device is typically prescribed to patients that need to undergo hip replacement surgery. Its also been marketed by its manufacturers as a superior choice to alternate hip replacement systems such as those comprised of plastic or ceramic models.

The manufacturers also marketed the device as being capable of lasting longer and being much more durable. However, since the product’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many patients have reported adverse side effects and complications allegedly stemming from the device’s product design.

The adverse side effects are said to occur as the metal acetabular liner and MoM device rub together, thus releasing metal ions such as chromium and cobalt into a patient’s surrounding soft tissues and bloodstream.

The alleged design flaw is the device’s all-metal ball and socket joints. Further alleged side effects and complications include corroding and fretting, infection, and tissue death. These issues then lead patients to undergo further revision surgery that may come with its own set of complications.

Despite numerous reports of adverse side effects and complications, the Pinnacle hip device has not been recalled by DePuy Orthopaedics.

The Pinnacle Metal-On-Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01052-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.