A California man is bringing a metal on metal hip replacement lawsuit against DePuy Orthopaedics after he experienced complications as a result of its Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System hip replacement device.

In January 2005 Plaintiff David M. underwent a right total hip arthroplasty at Thornton Hospital at the University of California San Diego. The surgeon implanted a DePuy Pinnacle Device in David’s right hip.

After his surgery, David claims he suffered from severe pain and discomfort. According to his metal on metal hip replacement lawsuit, had he known about the complications that would have arisen as a result, he would not have elected to get the Pinnacle Device.

The metal on metal hip replacement lawsuit claims that as a direct and proximate result of the complications from the Pinnacle Device, David had to undergo hip revision surgery.

Because of these surgeries, the plaintiff sustained and continues to sustain damages including pain and suffering, severe and possibly permanent injuries, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement and economic damages, including medical and hospital expenses, his lawsuit states.

The revision surgery resulted in the accrual of rehabilitative and pharmaceutical costs as well as lost wages and loss of future earnings capacity, according to this metal on metal hip replacement lawsuit.

David is bringing claims of defective design, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, breaches of express and implied warranty, fraud and punitive damages.

In his metal on metal hip replacement lawsuit, he is requesting compensation for both economic and non-economic losses, including but not limited to medical expenses, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress.

He is also calling for punitive damages and attorneys’ fees to be paid.

Complications from Metal on Metal Hip Replacements

The Pinnacle Device was first created by DePuy Orthopaedics in the early 2000s, but the company had received over 1,300 reports of adverse events by the year 2011.

DePuy’s Pinnacle Device is unique in that the ball-in-socket design is metal on metal. DePuy says that the device is “the only product available that provides the option of choosing a polyethylene or metal insert for use with the same outer titanium cup that replaces the socket of the natural hip.”

DePuy has marketed the Pinnacle Device to be preferable among younger patients because of its ability to withstand harsher friction and provide more movement. Based on pre-clinical studies, these types of hip implants were thought to be longer lasting and more durable than its competing products.

However, because both the ball and the liner of the socket are made from cobalt-chromium metal, when the device is used, the metal rubs together. Sometimes, metallic debris is released into the bloodstream as a result.

This causes many different problems. These complications allegedly have included the formation of non-cancerous cysts, metallosis, tissue infection and device failure.

Filing a Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit

If you have suffered from hip replacement surgery complications or failure, you may be eligible for monetary compensation, either by joining a settlement or filing a new metal on metal hip replacement lawsuit.

Even if you have not experienced symptoms of illness, you may be eligible for a new hip replacement in addition to other damages if you qualify. An experienced hip replacement attorney can review your situation at no cost.

The Metal on Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuit is Case No. 3:11-md-2244-K  in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.