Attorneys of Sullo & Sullo Seeing DePuy Hip Implant Lawsuits Increasing

While many other firms have seen a drop in the number of metal hip implant clients, Sullo and Sullo attorneys have actually seen those numbers climb. Andrew Sullo, Class Action Lead Counsel & Managing Partner notes that “Although many firms have noticed a slowdown in the number of clients hiring them for DePuy ASR and Pinnacle lawsuits, our firm has not. I believe that is because we are constantly offering our clients new and updated information. Our job is to inform all metal-on-metal hip recipients that even though their hip may not have failed yet, it could and after August 26^th they may lose rights to recover compensation from Johnson and Johnson.”

With the statute of limitations coming up soon on the ASR metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuits, Sullo & Sullo is experiencing an increase in the ASR recipients who are coming forward and asking to be a part of the lawsuit. Many clients in the lawsuit have experienced adverse health effects as a direct result of having an ASR all metal hip implant put into their body.  On the other hand, many have experienced little or no pain with their ASR hip implant but have elected to join the lawsuit that they can be financial protected at a point in the future should their ASR device fail. Through no fault of their own, these people have become victims of a heavily flawed system which allows harmful medical devices to be sold to the public. The ASR was approved in 2005 by the FDA under the controversial 510(k) process which allows medical devices to essentially ride in on the coattails of other medical devices which have come before them. In some cases approval is granted based on a device which has actually been discontinued because of the number of problems associated with it.

Prominent Surgeons Call For Recall of Zimmer Inc. NexGen CR-Flex Knee Replacement

HOUSTON — Since 2003, more than 150,000 Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee implants have been sold, and an unprecedented number of patients who received the artificial knee system have experienced loosening, pain and other severe complications.

The Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee system uses a porous, non-cement femoral component that attaches to the bottom of the thigh bone. In most knee replacement systems, a type of surgical cement is used to hold the component in place.

A recent study presented at the 2010 conference of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons provided evidence that indicated the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee replacement failure rate could be as high as nine percent, and suggested that the number of Zimmer knee implant complications that required revision surgery could be even higher. The same study found that 36 percent of Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee replacements became loose within two years of implantation. However, Zimmer has placed the blame on operating physicians and claimed that failures were caused by surgical errors, problems with the installation technique, or incompatibility with the type of patient who received the knee implant.

The study’s authors, Dr. Richard Berger and Dr. Craig Della Valle who hail from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, examined nearly 110 patients who received the Zimmer NexGen CR-Flex knee replacements. They discovered that nine patients needed a second corrective surgery due to knee pain and implant loosening, and that nearly 40 recipients showed signs of loose Zimmer knee implants which were unrelated to patient type, procedural approaches or specific surgeons.

Dr’s Berger and Della Valle have since called for a recall of Zimmer’s NexGen CR-Flex devices, to no avail. This may have something to do with the fact that the NexGen products made up two percent of Zimmer’s $1.76 billion sales in 2009.

Signs of a loose Zimmer Nex-Gen CR-Flex device may include: Knee stiffness, knee pain, limping, decreased range of motion in the joint, and difficulty putting weight on the knee. Over time, a loose knee implant can cause severe pain, erosion of the thigh bone, and severe restriction of a patient’s daily activities.

Due to these serious complications and the possibility of a Zimmer Nex-Gen CR-Flex knee replacement recall, potential lawsuits and class action claims are now being investigated and reviewed for individuals throughout the United States. It appears as though the manufacturer was aware of the risks associated with these devices, yet failed to take adequate steps to reduce instances of injury or warn consumers. Financial compensation may be available to those affected by Zimmer’s faulty Nex-Gen CR-Flex system.

If you or someone you know has suffered because of complications caused by the Zimmer’s NexGen CR-Flex knee implant, you have valuable rights. Let the experienced team of personal injury lawyers at Sullo & Sullo, LLP represent you and fight for compensation you deserve. Call us today at 1-800-730-7607 or visit our FAQ page to learn more about the lawsuit and your many options.