Family Sues Stryker Over Metal Hip Implant Damage Wife Suffered

In August of 2011, Mrs. Thibodeaux had hip replacement surgery and had a Stryker Rejuvenate Modular Hip System installed to replace a failing hip joint. After the surgery, Mrs. Thibodeaux suffered from debilitating chronic pain. According to the Stryker hip implant lawsuit, this pain left her unable to perform everyday activities.

Thibodeaux says she had no idea that the Rejuvenate hip implant had any issues until July of 2012, when the Stryker Corporation issued a voluntary recall for the Rejuvenate hip implant, as well as another metal-on-metal hip implant the company produced.

The recall came into response to problems reported with Stryker’s metal-on-metal hip implants. The Stryker hip implant lawsuit says it was revealed that the Rejuvenate system and other metal-on-metal hip implants corrode, releasing metallic ions into the bloodstream. This includes cobalt and chromium. The ions of these metals can lay dormant, causing long-term damage with a substantial latent period.

Metal ions leaking from these metal hip implant components can damage the nervous, cardiovascular and renal systems, as well as other organs within the body, the hip implant lawsuit says. The damage can take a long time to manifest, as well as cause chronic toxicity.

The Stryker Rejuvenate lawsuit alleges that the hip implant is defective and that Stryker breached its warranties by failing to warn about its defective product. This means that Stryker would be strictly liable for the damages caused by the device. The lawsuit alleges that Stryker knew – or should have known – about the serious potential health risks associated with their hip replacement systems.

The Stryker hip implant lawsuit was filed on behalf of both Mrs. Thibodeaux and her husband, as well as their children for $75,000, plus interest and cost. These include the costs of further medical monitoring, the costs of rehabilitation, and the attorney fees.

The Stryker hip implant lawsuit is Linda and Rodney Thibodeaux, et al. v. Howmedica Osteonics Corp., et al., Case No. 13-cv-01820-DWF-FLN, U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, Lake Charles Division.