A Texas woman filed a lawsuit against DePuy after a hip replacement surgery, alleging that the company’s Pinnacle Device led to severe complications and that the company failed to warn her about hip replacement problems.

According to the hip replacement lawsuit, DePuy manufactured the Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System, or Pinnacle Device, and marketed it is safe and effective, despite being aware that the device causes a number of hip replacement problems.

Plaintiff Wanda B. alleges that the device may cause metallosis and biologic toxicity, and also has a very high failure rate. According to Wanda’s hip replacement lawsuit, about 150,000 Pinnacle Devices have been sold, meaning that a large number of hip replacement surgery patients may be at risk.

These hip replacement surgery complications can lead to toxic levels of metal being released into the hip replacement surgery patient’s bloodstream and tissue, which can be dangerous. These metal particles can, Busch claims, result in tissue death, bone erosion, or even development of tumors.

Wanda underwent hip replacement surgery on November 7, 2009, and was implanted with a Pinnacle Device in her right hip. Because of this implant, Wanda alleges, she experienced increasing amounts of pain and stiffness, as well as a decreasing range of motion.

Since the hip replacement surgery, Wanda has been diagnosed with high metal levels and a pseudotumor. Because of these complications, Wanda had to undergo revision surgery on March 18, 2014.

She further alleges that 1,300 adverse event reports have been filed with the FDA, with more coming in, over hip replacement problems with the DePuy Pinnacle Device.

Wanda’s lawsuit claims that while DePuy markets its Pinnacle Device as safe and effective, the company is actually aware that the device has been linked with a series of serious hip replacement problems. Not only was DePuy aware of the device’s hip replacement surgery complications, but actively concealed these issues in their reports.

Wanda also alleges that DePuy failed to adequately warn consumers and the medical community about the risks of using its defective device for hip replacement surgery.

She filed this hip replacement lawsuit on multiple counts, including negligence, design defect, and inadequate warning.

Hip Replacement Surgery Risks

Adequately warning hip replacement surgery patients of the risks associated with the Pinnacle Device could have led them to choose another surgery option, allowing them to avoid having these hip replacement problems entirely.

Complications from hip replacement surgery devices like the Pinnacle Device can be painful, making movement difficult for patients. More serious complications can lead to tissue death or bone erosion, causing permanent damage.

If you or someone you know has experienced hip replacement problems due to a hip replacement surgery Pinnacle Device from DePuy or another company, you may be able to file a lawsuit.

The Hip Replacement Surgery Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-cv-00150-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.