DePuy Orthopaedics is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of product liability claims from patients alleging they suffered device complications from a DePuy metal hip implant.

One of the most recent additions comes from a woman from Indiana, alleging the manufacturing company failed to warn her about the potential device complications of the DePuy metal hip implant.

Plaintiff Sheryl D. says she opted for the DePuy metal hip implant, the Pinnacle Device, soon after reviewing DePuy marketing materials including advertisements describing the hip prosthetic as the “best surgical option that ‘recreates the natural ball and socket joint of your hip, increasing stability and range of motion.’”

Sheryl had reportedly agreed to have the Pinnacle Device implanted after she and her physician had discussed different options and relied on the information provided by DePuy Orthopaedics.

With these benefits in mind, Sheryl underwent hip replacement surgery on Aug. 22, 2001, and the DePuy metal hip implant implemented on her right side. According to the DePuy metal hip implant lawsuit, Sheryl suffered no initial device complications, but had reportedly suffered a prosthetic fracture with instability and had to undergo revision surgery to replace the implant on Dec. 25, 2013.

Overview of DePuy Metal Hip Implant Complications

The DePuy metal hip implant lawsuit noted that this was the first in several revision procedures Sheryl had to undergo, including three procedures spanning between January 2014 to August 2014.

Each of these revision surgeries was reportedly due to chronic osteomyelitis, or bone infection, but had failed to fully resolve these serious DePuy metal hip implant complications. According to the DePuy metal hip implant lawsuit, Sheryl eventually had to have her entire right leg amputated on April 04, 2018.

Not long after the surgery, Sheryl reportedly discovered that the Pinnacle Device had been linked to numerous device complications and that DePuy allegedly concealed this information from the public.

Sheryl opted to file legal action against the company, after discovering numerous other patients had also suffered similar complications with the FDA reportedly receiving over 1,300 injury reports regarding the DePuy metal hip implant. Like other metal hip implants, the Pinnacle Device was marketed to be a superior choice for orthopedic patients reviewing different hip replacement systems.

When all metal hip implants were first released, they were thought to be overtly superior to their ceramic or plastic cousins. However, it has recently been discovered that the all metal ball and socket joint components of the device may corrode and shed metal ions when they interact.

This leads to a number of serious device complications include metallosis, or blood metal poisoning, as well as debilitating pain and often creates the need for revision surgery.

This was reportedly the case with Sheryl, who allegedly lost one of her legs due to the defective nature of the DePuy metal hip implant. Sheryl states that she would never have agreed to have the DePuy metal hip implant implemented, if she had known about the serious complications it was associated with.

Sheryl’s DePuy metal hip implant lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2244, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries.

This DePuy Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-01434-K, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Texas, Dallas Division.