Illinois Couple Seeks Damages for Stryker Hip Replacement Problems

Plaintiffs Christine and Paul Geiselhart allege in a new Stryker hip lawsuit filed August 2, 2013, that their marriage has suffered irrevocably as a result of significant pain and suffering caused by the company’s Stryker Rejuvenate hip replacement system.

In 2010, Christine Geiselhart received the Stryker hip implant and, at the time, there were no major concerns from her surgeon. However, two years later, hip replacement complications such as metallosis and constant pain started to appear. Tests indicated elevated levels of chromium and cobalt in her blood stream, which led to a fluid formation around the hip as well as bursitis.

Their Stryker hip recall lawyer notes in the lawsuit that the medical device manufacturer had claimed that the cobalt and chromium connections would not lead to corrosion and fretting linked to metallosis because of a proprietary coating. The lawsuit alleges that Stryker “falsely represented and warranted that its proprietary materials alleviated this problem. [In a] recall notice, Defendants once again cited reports of device failure due to heavy metal fretting and corrosion.”

Those risks had been known since the 1980s, according to the Stryker hip lawsuit, with most medical device manufacturers not using the titanium and cobalt chromium connections because of the potential for metal shavings to enter the system. Later hip implant recalls indicated that the problem still remained as late as 2012.

As a result of the alleged hip replacement complications caused by the Stryker hip, Geiselhart has persistent limping and pain and later had the hip implant removed in a revision procedure in February. The hip revision surgery has only partially remediated the problems, however. As a result of her disabilities, the Geiselharts say they have suffered from loss of consortium. They are also seeking damages on counts of negligence, strict product liability and breach of implied warranty.

The Stryker Rejuvenate Hip Lawsuit is Christine Geiselhart and Paul Geiselhart v. Stryker Orthopaedics, et al., Case No. 13-cv-5533, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.

If you or someone you know has dealt with hip replacement complications caused by a Stryker hip implant, you may have legal options. Get started with a free review from a Stryker hip recall lawyer to determine your eligibility. One is available at the Stryker Metal Hip Implant Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation by filling out a short form. Cases at the federal level are being consolidated, so it’s important to act quickly to avoid any potential delays.