A pair of plaintiffs has filed a new hip implant lawsuit against DePuy, alleging its metal hip implants have caused serious complications that necessitated total hip revision.

The plaintiffs, Treelee M. and William T., were each implanted with a DePuy Pinnacle device and subsequently suffered from side effects that required total hip revision to alleviate. Treelee alleged she was implanted with a Pinnacle Device in January 2006, but later began experiencing severe pain and inflammation in the implant area due to a condition known as metallosis, where the device’ metal components have released metal particles into the surrounding blood, bone, and tissue. These side effects required total hip revision in 2016.

William was implanted with his Pinnacle devices in both his left and right hip in 2005 and 2004, respectively. However, he claims that he too began suffering from pain and inflammation in his hips linked with metallosis. William underwent total hip revision for his right hip in 2009, and again in 2016 for his left hip.

The total hip revision lawsuit was filed on Jan. 4, 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The lawsuit was filed on multiple counts, including negligence, manufacturing defect, design defect, inadequate warning, breach of express and implied warranties, and fraud, among others.

DePuy Metal Hip Device Background

The specific DePuy metal hip device referred to in this lawsuit is the Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System, or Pinnacle. The Pinnacle was released onto the market in 2001, and was intended to replace hip joints damaged by a number of conditions.

The DePuy Pinnacle device has been widely used for hip replacements all across the country. According to its manufacturers, almost 150,000 people have gone through a total hip replacement with this particular system. DePuy itself notes that “99.9% of Pinnacle Hip components are still in use today,” so many more may be at risk of suffering from similar side effects and even needing to undergo total hip revision.

Though DePuy markets its device as safe and effective, this total hip revision lawsuit alleges that the company is aware of the link between its Pinnacle device and a number of hip replacement problems, including metallosis, toxicity, muscle and tissue damage, and a high rate of failure.

Filing a DePuy Total Hip Revision Lawsuit

Thousands of lawsuits have so far been filed alleging serious DePuy Pinnacle defects. Lawsuits claim that the Pinnacle device’s manufacturers failed to adequately warn the public and the medical community about the side effects associated with the device that may even lead to total hip revision.

If you or someone you love has experienced hip replacement side effects due to DePuy Pinnacle defects, especially if they required total hip revision, you may be able to file a DePuy metal hip implant lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by hip implant side effects, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.

The Total Hip Revision Lawsuit is Case No. 3:18-cv-00031-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Dallas Division of the Northern District of Texas.