A South Carolina couple recently filed a lawsuit against Wright Medical Technology Inc and Wright Medical Group Inc. alleging the manufacturers’ metal hip implant device, the PROFEMUR Total Hip System caused a severe injury.

Plaintiffs Jeffrey and Elizabeth, E., husband and wife, filed the lawsuit after Jeffrey had the metal hip implant placed and suffered from pain, debilitation, suffering and additional treatments to attempt to correct his issues that all allegedly stemmed from the device.

In April 2013, Jeffrey had the metal hip implant placed. In December 2013, Jeffrey’s hip implant “catastrophically dialed, i.e., fractured at the neck, as a result of one or more of a combination of the foregoing unreasonably dangerous conditions,” according to the hip implant lawsuit.

The following day after the failure, Jeffery had to undergo a hip revision surgery to explant the PROFEMUR and implant another device in its place. As part of the hip revision surgery, the doctor also had to perform a “painful and risky” procedure called a trochanteric osteotomy.

Jeffrey and Elizabeth have brought forth twelve counts against Wright including strict products liability defective design, failure to warn and defect due to nonconformance with representations, negligence, negligent misrepresentation, fraud, malice or willful and wanton conduct, punitive damages and loss of consortium (quality relationship with a spouse).

The couple is seeking special damages for medical expenses, past and future earnings, past and future general damages related to pain and suffering and emotional distress, damages for loss of consortium, pre and post judgment interest, costs of litigation and any additional relief as deemed proper by the court.

Metal Hip Implants

In a hip implant surgery, the patient receives an implant that is modeled after a real hip joint and is able to rotate in several directions for optimal motion. The hip implant with a ball and socket joint design is designed to typically last 15-20 years before a new hip implant is needed.

Most hip implant devices have metal components with a plastic or polyethylene cup or liner to keep the metal components from touching.

In the PROFEMUR design, there is no liner between the metal components, so the metal pieces rub together and their friction can cause metal particles to flake off and enter the patient’s tissues and bloodstream.

This can cause cobalt and chromium to build up in a patient’s blood and tissues, causing great damage, toxicity and possible organ failure resulting in death.

Additionally, the Wright PROFEMUR also has a tendency to fracture in the part made of titanium, according to court documentation. This fracturing can even occur at low to moderate normal physical activity levels.

Wright no longer makes the titanium version of the metal hip component that resulted in fracturing.

Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit Information

If you or a loved one has suffered complications from a metal hip implant, such as the Wright PROFEMUR or other metal hip devices such as the ASR hip implant, Biomet, Stryker or Zimmer brand of device, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Our attorneys can review your case and assist you in exploring your legal options, all at no cost to you.

The Wright Metal Hip Implant is Case No. 4:15-cv-04993-RBH in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Florence Division.