A New Orleans resident recently filed a new Stryker Accolade hip lawsuit, alleging its defectiveness led to serious injuries including metallosis, a kind of metal poisoning.

The plaintiff, Bernard K., says he was implanted with a Stryker Accolade hip system in December 2011. After implantation with the Accolade system, Bernard began experiencing discomfort in his hip in the area of the implant. A diagnostic workup did not initially reveal the cause of this discomfort, though it was determined that it was not due to device loosening or infection.

A later diagnostic workup found “markedly increased levels” of metal ions in the patient’s blood, which could cause this discomfort and could even lead to more serious problems.

The specific device involved in Bernard’s Stryker Accolade hip lawsuit is the Stryker Accolade Hip Stem and the LFIT V40 femoral head components.

The Stryker Accolade hip lawsuit alleges that Bernard’s defective device has directly led to physical and mental pain and suffering as well as the financial burden that goes along with these kinds of medical expenses. Bernard’s Stryker Accolade hip lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including defective manufacture, design defect, failure to warn, breach of warranty, and negligence, among others.

Defective Stryker Accolade Side Effects

The Stryker Accolade hip system has been connected with a variety of serious complications–including metallosis, a kind of metal poisoning.

Metallosis problems are often linked with metal-on-metal hip implants like the ones incorporating Stryker LFIT femoral heads. These kinds of hip implants allow metal components to rub together, which over time can release excessive amounts of metals like cobalt and chromium into the bloodstream and surrounding tissue. This loose metal can lead to serious and even permanent problems. On top of the risk of metallosis, Stryker LFIT femoral heads have also been connected with an increased risk of dislocation or dissociation.

A growing number of patients like Bernard who have been implanted and injured by these devices are coming forward with their own experiences with the defective device. Hip implant lawsuits allege that Stryker failed to adequately warn patients of the serious complications associated with Stryker Accolade devices, placing company profit over patient safety.

Patients claim to have suffered from a number of serious and sometimes permanent injuries including the following:

• Hip implant failure
• Serious physical pain
• Emotional and mental distress
• Medical and surgical expenses
• Loss of enjoyment of life

In many cases, patients suffering from hip implant side effects end up undergoing revision surgery to help alleviate these problems. Of course, any additional surgery adds yet more risk and expense for a patient. Bernard has not yet been required to undergo revision surgery for his injuries.

Filing a Stryker Accolade Hip Lawsuit

If you or someone you love was implanted with a metal hip implant containing an LFIT V40 femoral head component and have suffered from these or other side effects, you may be able to file a Stryker Accolade hip lawsuit. Spouses of those who have suffered from defective metal-on-metal hip implants may also be able to sue for what is known as loss of consortium, or the loss of intimacy with their spouse due to complications.

Although filing a Stryker Accolade hip lawsuit cannot undo the damage done by complications of Stryker LFIT femoral heads, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.

The Stryker Accolade Hip Lawsuit is Case No. 2:17-cv-07382-JTM-JCW, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.