A woman has filed suit against the makers of the Biomet Magnum hip implant, which she says is a defective system that has caused her much pain and suffering.

According to Plaintiff Lisa G.’s Biomet Magnum hip implant lawsuit, the “hip system suffers from defects that cause excessive amounts of cobalt and chromium to corrode and wear from the surfaces of the acetabular cup, the femoral head, and the taper sleeve, which in turn causes the hip implant to fail and the surrounding tissue and bone to die.”

The Biomet Magnum hip system was never properly tested by Biomet, nor did it receive FDA approval as being safe or effective, the lawsuit claims.

Biomet Magnum Hip Implant Promoted Despite Allegedly Bad Data

Biomet representatives met with orthopedic surgeons all over the country to promote the Biomet Magnum hip implant. Biomet assured doctors that the products was safe with a great track record and a low failure rate.

Such claims continued even after Biomet became aware of many serious complications related to the device, the claim alleges.

“Biomet did not reveal (and instead concealed) their knowledge of numerous and serious complications and other ‘bad data’ during their meetings with orthopedic surgeons,” says the lawsuit.

In fact, Biomet started to receive reports of Biomet Magnum hip implant failures soon after launching the product, the lawsuit claims. In August 2004, one patient had to have a revision surgery to remove and replace the hip system because it had become loose within three years.

Hundreds of similar complaints would soon follow, and more than 350 adverse events regarding the Biomet Magnum hip implant have been filed with the FDA.

Even as these reports were pouring in, Biomet continued to promote and defend the hip system, Lisa states.

Hip Replacement Surgery with Doomed Implants

Lisa G. underwent a left hip replacement surgery in August 2012. She received a right hip replacement surgery in December of that year.

By that time, many adverse event reports regarding the Biomet Magnum hip implant had been filed with the FDA, and Biomet “knew that the product was subject to failure due to excessive metal-on-metal wear and other factors. But Biomet refused to disclose that information to the plaintiff, her physicians, or the public,” states the lawsuit.

Lisa G. underwent a costly and painful revision surgery on her right hip in June 2016. Her doctor noted that Lisa’s blood showed elevated levels of cobalt and chromium, and that she had developed a pseudotumor.

Having had a revision surgery puts Lisa at almost four times the risk of suffering from a hip dislocation over those who do not end up needing a revision surgery.

Her filed complaint says, “As a direct and proximate result of the failure of her defective Hips Systems and Biomet’s wrongful conduct, Plaintiff sustained and continues to suffer economic damages (including lost wages, medical and hospital expenses), severe and possibly permanent injuries, pain, suffering and emotional distress.”

If you have received a Biomet Magnum hip implant and have suffered from indications of device failure, you could benefit from speaking with a lawyer about your options.

The Biomet Magnum Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-868, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division.