Hip replacement surgery has come on a long way in the last couple of decades. Advances in medical science and hope replacement procedures have made it so that thousands of patients across the state of Florida can walk pain-free and in relative comfort. Modern-day hip replacements are also a lot more durable and are designed to last at least 15 years from the date of the operation.
Hip replacement surgery has become that common that it is often seen as a routine surgery and is carried out more freely by healthcare professionals. This has led to an increase in authorized surgeries across the country that end up causing a lot more damage than they do good. In these cases, patients are sometimes left with more pain, then they began or requiring corrective surgery.
There are a number of people who could be to blame for this, from the doctor to the manufacturer.
One thing is for certain though, if you have been on the receiving end of a botched surgery or your hip replacement is defective, you should not be left out of pocket for your losses pain or malpractice. It is vital that you get in touch with a local lawyer who can seek full and fair compensation for what you have gone through.
Here at The Law Place, we have been dealing with cases just like yours for many years. We have seen a range of cases involving defective hip replacements and surgery malpractice. We know the stress and hardship you might be facing as a result of what your doctors said would be a “routine surgery.” Our phone lines are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so give us a call to arrange a free consultation. Our number is (941) 444-4444.
Nobody should profit from a defective product, and doctors should not get away with medical malpractice. Don’t be intimidated by the big companies and corporations supporting this, let a skilled law firm like ours take over, we are ready to fight for the justice you deserve.
Hip Replacement Overview
A hip replacement is a very common procedure, usually performed on patients in the age range of 60-80. When done properly and successfully, they can massively increase the quality of life for those suffering from a disease like arthritis.
Unfortunately, doctors are very often too hasty to suggest a hip replacement. Metal hip replacement is major surgery and should only ever be a last-resort procedure following extensive physiotherapy and steroid treatment.
To undergo hip replacement surgery, the doctors should be certain that the patient definitely needs the operation and will be fit enough to deal with the rehabilitation that follows a major surgery like this.
What Defective Hip Implant Effects Serve as Sufficient Grounds for a Lawsuit?
Product liability and medical malpractice are the most common grounds for a lawsuit. If you are suffering from the following, then you are most likely eligible to seek compensation:
- Severe pain and discomfort.
- Bone damage.
- Decreased mobility or loss of mobility.
- Infections (which can necessitate hospitalization, surgery, or replacement of the hip implant.)
- Metallosis.
- Inflammation, and swelling.
- Loosening or malfunction of the defective metal hip implant.
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What Is Metallosis?
When metal particles break off from a metal-on-metal implant, this can cause a serious medical condition known as Metallosis.
When the components grind together, this causes small shards to dislodge from the metal. These particles can move into the blood-stream, ultimately leading to blood poisoning.
They can often cause inflammation and discomfort when they lodge in the muscles or bone tissue surrounding the implant.
If you are suffering from Metallosis after a metal-on-metal hip replacement in Clearwater, FL, then you deserve compensation. Contact a lawyer at The Law Place today to see how we can help.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience
How Much Can I Claim?
The amount you can claim for a defective hip replacement will depend on a range of different factors. Such as:
- Any loss of earnings, past, present, and future.
- Any medical bills you have had to pay or will need to pay.
- How much support you will need.
- Whether you will need mobility aid or any specific equipment or modifications to your home.
- The degree of your pain and suffering.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
What Is the Claims Process?
The first thing you should do after you discover you have been given a defective medical product should be to contact a personal injury lawyer for a free case evaluation. Personal injury claims in regard to medical malpractice can be extremely difficult to navigate, and your best option is with a skilled law group behind you.
Here at The Law Place, this is the general claims process:
- Investigation – We will begin with some quick questions and explain our fee structure. Once you have agreed to representation, we will begin our investigation in full. We will take over all of the work, including liaising with insurance companies. We will most likely hire a medical expert who can examine the extent of the defect.
- Compensation – We will use the investigation to build up a case and work out what we think you are entitled too. We will calculate how much you should be compensated for as a result of your medical expenses and pain and suffering, as well as your ability to work. We will then send this figure to the guilty party. They can then decide to payout or decline it.
- Conclusion – If they decide to accept it, then you will receive your compensation. If they do not, we will take it further and proceed to court.
Don’t worry if they do not accept your settlement demand straight away. Just because a settlement demand is not accepted does not mean the case will definitely go to court. This just means that the court is going to take over your case.
Known Defective Products
Unfortunately, medical professionals often have to trust the word of their pharmaceutical companies and their claims. This means they may be installing defective medical devices without even knowing.
These defective devices are more common than you might think and often remain on the market long after they are found to be defective, as long as they are bringing in profits still. There are two types of defects, manufacturing defects, and design defects, and both count as product liability.
Defective replacements that have been tied to companies in the Clearwater area include the following companies:
- Biomet- Biomet creates a range of replacement hip replacement and hip implant products for the hips, as well as the knees and shoulders. Their metal-on-metal design has led to hundreds of complaints being made about them as a result of patients contracting metallosis.
- Stryker Rejuvenate – Stryker actually had to recall several of their products after complaints about their hip replacements being defective. This was because their products that were designed to give greater flexibility actually corroded quickly once implanted, releasing metal into the blood and causing metallosis.
- DePuy ASR & Pinnacle – Depuy Orthopedics produced a large number of their metal on metal joint hip implant products. Like most other metal-on-metal systems, they had inherent problems with their design. Patients often ended up suffering from infections and immobility or inflammation. DePut is a sub-division of Johnson and Johnson, who are not strangers to civil lawsuits against them, having already faced several class action lawsuits and product recalls.
- Wright Hip Implants –This company created two hip implant products that have resulted in the FDA receiving over 200 device failure reports. This is due to the metal-on-metal design of the Conserve Plus and the PROFRMUR Z implant systems.
Contact The Law Place Today
Nobody should have to suffer unnecessary pain as a result of a manufacturer’s defect or medical malpractice. Under the law of the state, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries and your losses.
The sooner you get in touch, the sooner we can help, here at The Law Place, we have dealt with numerous cases similar to yours and know exactly how to proceed.
Our phone lines are manned every day of the week, around the clock. Don’t suffer in silence,
Give us a call today for a free consultation and some free legal advice on (941) 444-4444.
