Utah Woman Sues DePuy Orthopaedics over Metal Hip Injuries

Utah plaintiff Radene Clark is suing DePuy Orthopaedics for the injuries she sustained from their metal hip product, the Pinnacle hip implant system. According to her hip implant lawsuit, Clark suffered from tissue infection and blood metal poisoning from a metal-on-metal hip implant.

On November 19, 2004, Clark underwent total left hip replacement surgery and had the Pinnacle device implanted into her. Soon after the device was implanted, the plaintiff allegedly suffered from blood metal poisoning from the metal ions rubbing off from the metal components of the metal hip system. Other side effects the plaintiff reported include inflammation, pain and discomfort, and other possible health complications.

The metal-on-metal hip system was eventually removed from the plaintiff on June 10, 2013. According to Clark’s hip implant lawsuit, at no point in time was the plaintiff or her physician aware of the possible side effects associated with the metal-on-metal hip system. Additionally, there were allegedly no warnings or indications included with the product indicating the risk of hip implant complications.

Clark filed the hip implant lawsuit against DePuy, accusing the company of being directly responsible for manufacturing, selling, marketing and distributing a dangerous product. Other allegations include false advertising, concealing information and misrepresenting a product. Clark states that DePuy had the responsibility to warn her of these side effects due to the fact that they manufacture the product themselves, and that they have an obligation to warn her and other patients of the risks.

Overview of Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Complications

Since DePuy’s Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip module systems were first launched in 2001, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 1,300 adverse injury reports related to the device. These reports indicated that the metal-on-metal hip implants were causing metal ion levels in the blood to rise, which allegedly caused blood poisoning, infection, inflammation, debilitating pain and immobility. Additional injuries reported include tissue death, bone erosion and the development of tumors.

The Pinnacle hip implant system is composed of a metal femoral stem which is inserted inside the femur. The metal femoral head (or ball) connects to the top of the stem, which acts as a ball and socket joint. Ideally, this design would give the patient complete mobility, allowing them to live a normal and active life. However, recent studies and injury reports have proved otherwise.

Like all metal-on-metal hip module systems, the Pinnacle Device was designed, developed and sold to replace human hip joints that were damaged or diseased due to fracture, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and avascular necrosis. At the time of their development, they were thought to be overall superior to their ceramic and plastic counterparts because they were thought to last longer and endure more movement. However, it was soon discovered that the metal-on-metal hip systems came with their own problems, convincing some medical experts to believe that they are more trouble than they are worth.

According to many medical and legal experts, the reason so many problems arose from the metal-on-metal hip systems was not only related to design flaws, but also due to the fact that they were not properly approved by the FDA. Instead of being approved after through vigorous pre-market testing, the Pinnacle hip implant system was released to the market through the FDA’s 510(k) policy, which allows a product into market if they prove to be substantially similar to a product that has already been released on the market.

Many believe that the Pinnacle hip implant system and other metal-on-metal hip module systems were not properly tested, and therefore unnecessarily exposed patients to risks. Thousands of patients across the United States are suing DePuy and other metal-on-metal hip manufactures for the injuries they sustained from their allegedly defective hip implants. 

This case is labeled as Radene Clark v. DePuy Orthopaedics, Case No. 3:13-cv-02506-K, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. 

File a Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit Today

If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of a metal hip system injury, you have legal options. Please visit the DePuy, Biomet, Wright Medical Technology & Others, Metal on 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 metal hip injury 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 injury attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.