Depuy Orthopaedics is facing a new metal hip implant lawsuit from a South Carolina couple, alleging the company’s all metal hip implants caused the wife serious and permanent harm.

The couple further alleges the DePuy metal hip implant was defective and was an unreasonably dangerous product to use for orthopedic reasons.

Plaintiff couple Diana and Edgar D. are filing this metal hip implant lawsuit, claiming Diana suffered debilitating injuries from the DePuy metal hip implant.

Diana had opted on the DePuy ASR hip implant as her choice of hip replacement, after consulting her doctor. However, soon after having the DePuy metal hip implant inserted on June 12, 2008, Diana began experiencing implant complications.

According to her metal hip implant lawsuit, Diana began experiencing complications in November 2014 when the device reportedly moved out of place and began compounding her condition.

Diana had allegedly suffered several significant problems from the DePuy metal hip implant, including fluid buildup and overall device failure.

Laboratory testing also indicated Diana was suffering from blood metal poisoning, or metallosis, based on elevated cobalt levels. Diana eventually had to undergo revision surgery on March 30, 2015, removing the DePuy metal hip implant.

According to the operative report, there was fluid in the hip joint, fibrous material in the hip capsule, and severe corrosion.

Even with the DePuy metal hip implant removed, Diana is now at risk for increased risk of infection and the need for additional surgeries.

Overview of Metal Hip Implant Complications

Cases like Diana have been reported throughout the United States, with injury reports indicating metal on metal hip implants may not be the best choice.

When all metal hip implants were first introduced in the United States, they were thought to be overtly superior to their ceramic and plastic counterparts. They were thought to be more durable and longer lasting, along with being better suited for young patients with more active lifestyles.

Furthermore, most metal hip implants could be custom fit to the patients and became popular very quickly when they first became available.

However, injury reports of metal hip device failure and metallosis were soon submitted, causing outcry from patients and doctors.

Many of the metal hip implant complications can be linked to the metal debris that naturally sheds from the device inside the bloodstream, specifically from the interaction of the ball and socket joint.

Most metal hip implants were approved under the FDA’s 510(k) policy, which approves devices that prove to work at an equivalent level with a similar but already released product.

Critics argue therefore that these devices were not properly evaluated, which resulted in numerous patient injuries and revision surgeries.

Diana and her husband are suing DePuy Orthopaedics for failing to warn her against the potential complications associated with their DePuy ASR hip implant. Their DePuy metal hip implant lawsuit is joining multidistrict litigation (MDL) No. 2197, consisting of other claims with similar allegations.

The DePuy Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-dp-20213, in the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division.