Ind. Couple Sue Stryker for Metal-on-Metal Hip Injuries

Indiana couple John J. Wilson and Carol J. Wilson are suing Stryker Corporation for injuries the primary plaintiff, John, allegedly suffered from the company’s metal hip implant. The plaintiff alleges that he suffered from debilitating pain, infection, and blood metal poisoning from the Stryker Orthopaedics Total Hip System.

On June 8, 2010, Wilson underwent total left hip replacement surgery, choosing the Stryker Orthopaedics Total Hip System as his replacement hip system. While no complications were experienced during the initial surgery, Wilson soon started suffering debilitating pain and found difficulty in moving, according to the lawsuit. He was forced to undergo revision surgery on Nov. 13, 2012, which found that one of the components in his hip system had become corroded and damaged.

According to medical records, Wilson suffered from tissue infection and blood metal poisoning as a result of the metal hip replacement systems. Wilson was not notified of these possible side effects by the company, nor was his physician or wife aware of such possibilities, his lawsuit says. There allegedly were no warnings or special instructions for the surgeon to insert them in a specific way, nor were there any warnings to be wary of. Had Wilson known about these possible side effects, he would have opted for a different product.

Wilson states that it was Stryker’s responsibility to warn him because he had no way of knowing of the possible side effects of their product. So for manufacturing, selling, marketing, and distributing a dangerous product, Wilson is suing Stryker. The charges include: negligence, false advertising, misrepresenting a product, and concealing information.

Overview of Metal Hip Replacement Complications

The Stryker Orthopaedics Total Hip System was first introduced to the United States in February 2009. Like other metal-on-metal hip replacement modules, it was thought to be overtly superior to its ceramic and plastic cousins. Due to the material these hip systems were made of, they were thought to last longer and stand greater stress than the other models. Younger patients often opted for the metal-on-metal hip systems because of their greater durability, but the product was open to any patient who chose it.

Despite the amount of popularity the metal-on-metal hip systems initially had when they were released, it was not long before problems started to emerge. The FDA soon found itself loaded with numerous metal-on-metal hip module injury reports, indicating that patients had suffered from debilitating pain, infection, metallosis, and other complications. After several scientific inquiries, it was discovered that while metal-on-metal hip module systems were more durable than ceramic or plastic models, they came with deadlier side effects.

According to the scientific studies conducted, it was found that when the ball and socket joint of the metal-on-metal hip systems move against each other, metal ions are shed into the blood, presenting a variety of health complications. Metallosis is when the metal levels in the blood are too high causing metal poisoning; if left untreated, this condition could be fatal. Other complications include: tissue infection, debilitating pain, and metal erosion.

Many patients who have had metal-on-metal hip module systems implanted into them have had to undergo revision surgery to correct or remove the device. Ideally, hip implants are expected to last fifteen to twenty years, but in some cases with metal-on-metal hip devices have reportedly failed in less than five years.

Wilson was one of the unfortunate cases in where the device did not even last him five years. He and his wife are seeking damages for medical compensation, pain and suffering, and other punitive charges, from Stryker.

This case is labeled as John J. Wilson and Carol J. Wilson vs. Stryker Corporation, CASE 0:13-cv-02156-DWF-FLN, in the United States District Court of Southern Indiana.

File a Metal Hip Injury Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a metal hip injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Stryker Metal Hip Implant Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned hip replacement lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The metal hip attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.