Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics are facing a new DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuit that alleges serious device complications that required revision surgery.

This DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuit was filed by a man from Illinois, who alleges the companies failed to warn him and other patients against the serious device complications their metal on metal hip implant could cause.

Like thousands of other patients, plaintiff Joseph S. alleges he was recommended the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system to restore hip function to his damaged joints that were either deteriorating from injury or disease. Joseph allegedly opted to file the DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuit after discovering the many other patients who developed serious device complications that required intensive medical care.

Overview of DePuy Pinnacle Hip Lawsuit

The DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system was approved by the FDA in 2000. This device was eventually associated with reports of metal hip implant complications, which forced many patients to undergo revision surgery.

Joseph was allegedly one of these patients whose health was further compromised by serious metal on metal hip implant issues.

According to his DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuit, Joseph underwent total right hip replacement surgery on Nov. 15, 2004. The DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system was implanted, and it initially worked well. However, Joseph reportedly developed a number of complications soon after, including the effects of metallosis or blood metal poisoning.

Metallosis is caused by metal ion levels in the blood rising to dangerous levels. This can happen when the all metal ball and socket joint components in the body interact. The metal shavings can quickly cause the surrounding bone and tissue to develop infection, inflammation, and tissue death.

Patients can also often suffer debilitating pain, limited movement, and interfere with their overall quality of life. Joseph was reportedly one of these patients; he later had to undergo revision surgery to resolve these complications.

According to the DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuit, Joseph had the metal on metal hip implant removed on Jan. 16, 2017, and has since contended with the recovery process.

At all times relevant, Joseph says he relied on the information provided by DePuy and Johnson & Johnson and could not have known about the potential device complications associated with the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system.

Metal Hip Implants

When metal on metal hip implants first entered the market, they were originally thought to be overtly superior to plastic or ceramic models. These devices were thought to be more durable and longer lasting, and considered good choices for younger prosthetic patients wanting to live a more active lifestyle.

However, the numerous injury reports describing debilitating pain and metallosis have spurred major scrutiny from the medical community and wariness in the patient population.

Joseph states he would not have agreed to have the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system implanted, if he had known about the severity of the device complications. Joseph is seeking a number of different damages in his DePuy Pinnacle hip lawsuit, including multiple counts of negligence and failure to warn.

This DePuy Pinnacle Hip Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01731-K, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Texas, Dallas Division.