An Arizona woman recently filed a hip replacement lawsuit against DePuy, claiming that the company’s hip implants were defective and harmful.

Plaintiff Robbie T. underwent a hip replacement on March 17, 2010, and was implanted with a DePuy Pinnacle Hip implant.

Over time, however, Robbie’s hip implant began to cause severe pain and discomfort which only got worse.

As a direct result of being implanted with a DePuy device, Robbie claims she has suffered severe pain, weakness and a decreased range of motion. Because of these hip replacement complications, the plaintiff was forced to undergo a hip revision surgery on October 21, 2014.

According to the hip replacement lawsuit, DePuy either knew or should have known that their Pinnacle Hip device was defective and could cause severe injury and pain to a patient implanted with the device.

Robbie’s hip replacement lawsuit claims that the DePuy hip implant was not adequately tested prior to being released onto the market.

Complications from Hip Implants

Robbie’s hip replacement lawsuit claims that these complications were caused by elevated or even toxic levels of chromium and cobalt metal ions in her blood. This metal was allegedly released by the hip implant rubbing against itself.

The hip replacement lawsuit claims that, had Robbie been aware of the complications linked with the DePuy hip implant, she would have chosen an alternative method of treatment.

On top of the physical complications, Robbie’s hip replacement lawsuit also claims that she has directly suffered excessive expenses due to the DePuy device. Medical and hospital expenses and lost wages both contribute to these expenses.

The hip replacement lawsuit alleges that Robbie expects many more years of treatment because of the DePuy Pinnacle Hip implant, further revision surgeries and potentially permanent complications.

Robbie’s hip replacement lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including negligence, defective design and failure to warn.

Hip Replacement Lawsuit Information

Hip replacement lawsuits claim that hundreds of adverse event reports have been filed with the FDA over complications linked with the DePuy Pinnacle device.

These lawsuits claim that DePuy markets its device as safe and effective, but that the company is actually aware of serious complications that have been linked with its widely used device.

Some hip replacement lawsuits allege that DePuy was not only aware of the Pinnacle Hip device’s complications, but has actively concealed reports of these complications from the public and the medical community.

Minor complications cited in a hip replacement lawsuit include persistent pain and difficult movements. Complications can become more serious and may lead to the death of surrounding tissue or even bone erosion. These complications can cause permanent damage.

If you or someone you know has suffered from hip replacement complications after being implanted with a Pinnacle Hip device from DePuy, you may be able to file a hip replacement lawsuit.

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