Zimmer Hip Settlements Could Be Ahead

A number of people have already filed Zimmer Hip Lawsuit against orthopedics manufacturing company Zimmer, whose responsibility for the hip replacement device known as the Durom Cup has seen many people turn their attention in the company’s direction—but most of the press is negative. Democrats on the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce are getting involved—questioning why harmful brain stents and metal-on-metal Zimmer hip replacement recall continue to be sold throughout the United States with little oversight. 

Metal-on-metal hip replacement systems like the Zimmer Durom cup come in a variety of models from a variety of manufacturers but often side effects are the same. Component loosening, soft tissue damage, bone fracture, metal poisoning (metallosis), premature device dislocation, and Zimmer hip revision surgery are all directly linked to metal-on-metal hip replacement systems. This is worrisome to some House Democrats, who hope to convince Republicans that this issue needs to be looked into with greater depth.

Zimmer patients who have experienced severe side effects already know the issues that brought the devices to the attention of a part of the United States’ government. Zimmer actually recalled the Durom cup for a short time, claiming that they fixed the problems associated with it, but patients are still skeptical—especially those who have had to undergo hip revision surgery, a complex procedure that comes with a number of its own risks. 

Those who have experienced side effects of metal-on-metal hip replacement systems like the Zimmer Durom cup should contact a lawyer as quickly as possible to ensure that they stay within the statute of limitations for their state.

Complaints Over Zimmer Hip Failure Reach Their Peak in 2011

Some experts fear all-metal hip implants could become one of the biggest and most costly medical implant problems in recent history.Metal-on-metal hip implants accounted for nearly one-third of the estimated 250,000 Zimmer hip replacement recall performed each year. According to one estimate, some 500,000 patients have received an all-metal replacement hip. It is believed the devices can shed dangerous amounts of cobalt and chromium through wear, leading to tissue damage, premature device Zimmer hip failure, the need for revision surgery, and even long-term health problems. Symptoms discussed in the Times’ article include pain, rashes, and inflammation. Unfortunately, many metal-hip implant recipients who sustain tissue damage have no symptoms, making it difficult to determine if their device should be removed.

While Zimmer’s own estimates in 2008 suggested that some doctors in the United States experienced failure rates as high as 5.7%, more recent claims made in Zimmer Durom Cup lawsuits suggest that the artificial Zimmer hip implant failure is between 20% and 30%.In July 2008, the manufacturer decided to suspend U.S. sales of the product, but a Zimmer Durom Cup recall was not issued since they did not uncover evidence of any manufacturing defect or design defect. Over 12,000 people in the United States have had a Zimmer Durom Cup implanted during their hip replacement surgery.  Hundreds of these people could experience loosening of the component and the need for additional surgeries which was caused by the negligence of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.  

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. reported last year that it is setting aside $75 million to resolve current and future lawsuits over their Durom Cup hip replacement system. In October 2008, Zimmer disclosed that they had set aside $47.5 million to settle Durom Cup claims, and they indicated during their fourth-quarter of 2008 earnings report that the reserves had been increased to $69 million. The $75 million reported this quarter appears to be in addition to that amount. In June, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation decided to consolidate and centralize all lawsuits over the Zimmer hipreplacement in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL) for pretrial litigation.

No End In Sight To Zimmer Hip Lawsuits

In July 2008, Zimmer suspended US sales of the Durom Cup following complaints about Zimmer hip implant failure due to loosened components that required revision surgery. That year, Zimmer’s own estimates suggested that some doctors in the US experienced failure rates as high as 5.7 percent with the Durom Cup. However, some Zimmer Durom Cup Zimmer Hip Lawsuit claim the failure rate could be as high as 30 percent.  It is estimated that 500,000 patients in the U.S. may have received metal-on-metal hips, and it’s very likely that tens of thousands will be forced to undergo painful revision surgery due to early failures. More lawsuits are also expected and some experts believe the litigation surrounding all-metal hips may emerge as the largest product liability cases of this decade.

In July 2008, the manufacturer decided to suspend U.S. sales of the product, but a Zimmer Durom Cup recall was not issued since they did not uncover evidence of any manufacturing defect or design defect.  In fact, they intend to reintroduce the artificial Zimmer hip implant failure after they develop instructions about the special surgical techniques that doctors need to use to avoid the risk of Durom Cup problems. 

Zimmer Prepares for Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Lawsuits

Shortly after Zimmer introduced the Durom Cup in the United States, concerns emerged about a high number of Zimmer hip replacement recall involving the hip implant, where the component loosened and required revision surgery.In July 2008, Zimmer suspended US sales of the Durom Cup following complaints about Zimmer hip implant failure due to loosened components that required revision surgery. Approximately 12,000 individuals had the Zimmer Durom Cup system implanted in their hip between 2006 and 2008. While Zimmer’s own estimates in 2008 suggested that some doctors have experienced failure rates as high as 5.7%, more recent claims made in Zimmer Durom Cup lawsuits suggest that the artificial hip failure rate is between 20% and 30%.

In April 2008, prominent Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Larry Dorr, notified members of theAmerican Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons about the Zimmer Durom Cup problems he was encountering with patients who received the component.  Problems such as loosing of the components and a higher than expected rate of Zimmer hip revision surgery were identified by Dr. Dorr.After initially dismissing Dr. Dorr’s report of problems, Zimmer agreed to initiate an investigation of the Durom Cup problems in May 2008. 

Ballooning Fund For Zimmer Hip Lawsuits Prepared to Burst

The Zimmer Durom Cup hip implant was first introduced in the United States in 2006, with a design that was supposed to avoid many problems associated with traditional hip replacement components, such as instability, limited range of motion and wear of the bearing. However, shortly after it was introduced, concerns emerged about a high number of Zimmer hip replacement failures involving the Durom Cup, where the component loosened and required revision surgery. A temporary Zimmer hip recall of the Durom Cup implant was issued in July 2008,

Zimmer Hip Lawyers Fight for Different Types of Damages

Papaccio v. Zimmer Holdings, in the U.S. District Court in the Middle District of Florida on July 11, 2011 asked for declaratory relief. Declaratory relief is a judge's determination of the parties' rights under a contract or a statute often requested for information in a lawsuit over a contract. The theory is that an early resolution of legal rights will resolve some or all of the other issues in the matter. Over 12,000 people in the United States have had a Zimmer Durom Cup implanted during their hip replacement surgery.  Hundreds of these people could experience Zimmer hip failure due to loosening of the component and the need for additional surgeries which was caused by the negligence of Zimmer Holdings, Inc.  They introduced a new product without providing adequate warnings or instructions about the proper use and surgical techniques required leading to many hip replacement patients looking to file a Zimmer hip lawsuit.

Large Fund Set Up By Zimmer To Settle Lawsuits

The Zimmer Durom Acetabular Component is a newer type of artificial hip part which is designed for use in combination with Zimmer’s Metasul Metal-on-Metal Tribological Solution Large Diameter Heads (LDH). The Zimmer Durom cup hip replacement  is a monoblock of cobal chromium alloy which was introduced in Europe in 2003 and approved in the United States in 2006. In May 2008, Zimmer sent a letter to healthcare providers indicating that they were initiating an investigation into the complaints of Zimmer Durom Cup complications. After reviewing data on over 3,100 cases, Zimmer suspended sales of the Durom artificial hip component in July 2008. All federal lawsuits over problems with Zimmer NexGen knee replacements have been consolidated for pretrial proceedings as part of an MDL, or multidistrict litigation, which will be centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. 

Zimmer Hip Replacement Problems: Device or Surgeon?

Zimmer is making claims that there have been an excessive number of Zimmer hip failures associated with their Durom Cup knee replacement system not because the device itself is faulty, but because surgeons who are implanting the device in patients are doing so incorrectly. They also cite other possible complications that could have an impact on the viability of the device – infection, dislocation, trauma, bone fractures, and metal hypersensitivity could, claims Zimmer, make a medical device such as the Durom Cup more prone to failure. Despite these claims, a class action lawsuit has been filed in Canada that involves every one of the almost 5,000 Canadians who were fitted with a Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement system.

Metal-On-Metal Hip Replacements Cause Zimmer Lawsuits to Erupt

In August of 2010, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy recalled both its ASR and ASR XL hip replacements systems after growing pressure from the FDA over the devices' unusually high failure rate. And doctors in the United Kingdom have reported that DuPuy products have a failure rate as high as 49% after only six years. The reports of problems with various metal-on-metal designs has become so troubling that on May 6, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration ordered a study of 145 different metal-on-metal hip replacements designs made by 21 different manufacturers. As the metal ball-and-joint scrape against each other, tiny particles of metal debris wear off within the patient. The particles can float freely within the joint, embed into nearby tissue or even enter the bloodstream, causing havoc on the patient's body.

The Durom Cup was first sold in the U.S. by Zimmer, in 2006, and it was implanted in more than 12,000 Zimmer hip replacement patients over the two-year period from the Summer of 2006 to the suspension of sales in July 2008. Based on information received from discussions with hip surgeons throughout the country, estimates on the failure rate of the Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement range between 20% and 30%. The true failure rate of the Zimmer Durom Cup may climb much higher in the coming years as doctors and their patients come to realize that their implants are gradually failing.

Zimmer Durom Cup Issues Are Wide and Far Reaching

The Zimmer products, sold under the brand name Durom, are marketed as a set of ball-and-socket components for use in hip resurfacing, or as a metal socket for use with other components in a conventional hip replacement, have been the subject of many a Zimmer Hip Lawyer. Researchers, whose study was underwritten by Zimmer, urged in their report that the Durom components no longer be used in standard implants because of “these excessively high metal ion levels.” In this country, the Durom product is used only in conventional implants; the resurfacing system is not approved for sale. A temporary Zimmer Durom Cup recall was issued in July 2008, so that revisions could be made to the product’s warnings and instructions to ensure that doctors were properly trained on the surgical techniques needed to implant the artificial hip correctly.

Over 12,000 people in the United States have had a Zimmer Durom Cup implanted during their hip replacement surgery. While Zimmer’s own estimates in 2008 suggested that some doctors experienced Zimmer hip failure rates as high as 5.7%, some claims have suggested that the between 20% and 30% of people may experience problems with a Zimmer Durom Cup hip. The recent Zimmer Durom Cup issues were first noticed by prominent orthopedic

Are Zimmer Hip Lawsuits Linked to 510(k) Overhaul?

After a slew of Zimmer hip replacement lawsuits regarding the Zimmer Durom Cup, the Food and Drug Administration has requested that a study be conducted on the effectiveness of the current 510(k) medical device approval process that is in place. This process allows devices, such as joint replacement systems like the Durom Cup, that are similar to medical devices already on the market to be approved more quickly because of their similarities to the pre-existing devices.

Based on the number of patients who have had complaints about serious problems and complications associated with their medical devices – many a Zimmer hip lawyer has filed lawsuits against Zimmer and other makers of orthopedic and joint replacement devices after experiencing more severe hip complications, some of which necessitated Zimmer  hip revision surgery – it appears as though this expedited approval process for some medical devices is not appropriate or safe for consumers.

Are Zimmer Hip Lawsuits Linked to 510(k) Overhaul?

After a slew of Zimmer hip replacement lawsuits, the Food and Drug Administration has requested that a study be conducted on the effectiveness of the current 510(k) medical device approval process that is in place. This process allows devices, such as joint replacement systems like the Durom Cup, that are similar to medical devices already on the market to be approved more quickly because of their similarities to the pre-existing devices.

Harris Hip Score Used To Evaluate Zimmer Hip Problems

Patients who have been implanted with a Zimmer hip replacement system have, since 2006, faced hurdles in recovery. The problems include: unexplained hip pain more than three months after hip replacement, loosening of their artificial hip implant and hip replacement revision surgery. Potential lawsuits are being investigated on behalf of individuals who have experienced issues with the Zimmer Durom Cup.  Doctors have reported a number of problems with the artificial hip replacement component, which have resulted in the need for additional surgeries for many patients. When talking with your physician about problems with your hip replacement, they will present you with a series of questions known as the Harris Hip Score. The questions will center around the subjects of: pain, support, distance walked, limp, stairs, sitting, etc.

Although the Harris hip score frequently is used to assess the outcome of total hip replacement, only a few minor validity tests have been presented. The aim of this study was to perform a validity test of the Harris hip score and to test its reliability.  The Harris hip score can be used by a physician or a physiotherapist to study the clinical outcome of hip replacement. Most validity tests show the Harris Hip Score to be a good indicator of a successful hip replacement, but not everyone responds to issues with their hip replacements the same way. Those who are rated between “fair” and “poor” according to their score, may be entitled to and wish to seek damages due to a defective Zimmer hip replacement.

In April 2008, prominent Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Larry Dorr, notified members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons about the Zimmer Durom Cup problems he was encountering with patients who received the component. In July 2008, the manufacturer decided to suspend U.S. sales of the product, but a Zimmer Durom Cup recall was not issued since they did not uncover evidence of any manufacturing defect or design defect. Over 12,000 people in the United States have had a Zimmer Durom Cup implanted during their hip replacement surgery.  Hundreds of these people could experience loosening of the component and the need for additional surgeries

Zimmer Hip Places Blame Everywhere But On Themselves

In February 2011, the Food and Drug Administration stated that there are "unique risks" for "metal-on-metal" artificial hips because tiny metal ions can wear off and damage nearby tissue. Patients who have received all metal implants should be aware of potential symptoms which may occur after surgery and indicate that their device is not functioning properly. Common symptoms may include: pain in the groin, hip or leg, swelling at or near the hip joint and a limp or change in walking ability. The Zimmer Durom Cup was approved in the United States in 2006 for use during total hip replacement, or total hip arthroplasty. The component has been implanted in over 12,000 patients. According to information released by Zimmer, some doctors have encountered post-hip surgery problems requiring Zimmer hip revision surgery as much as 5.7% of the time.

Doctors Point Fingers at Zimmer in Hip Replacement Lawsuits

The tipping point in the Zimmer Durom Cup recall was a letter written by Lawrence D. Dorr, MD, an orthopedic surgeon who is the medical director of the Dorr Institute for Arthritis Research and Education in California. Dr. Door is considered to be an opinion leader in hip and joint replacement surgery and research around the world. Dr. Dorr found that 14 of the 165 Durom hip systems implanted at his clinic needed a Zimmer Hip revision surgery within two years of hip implant surgery. Several hip surgeons, including Dr. Dorr, of the Dorr Arthritis Institute at good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles and Amar Ranawat, MD, of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City have been working on a project to develop software for robotic-guided navigation for hip surgery.

Zimmer Hip Replacement Lawsuits: A Small Consolation?

Individuals who have been fitted with Zimmer’s Durom Cup hip replacement system and have experienced some of the many side effects associated with it may be entitled to file a Zimmer Hip lawsuit against the orthopedics manufacturing giant, and the company may even choose to settle with the plaintiff out of court. However, this is little consolation for some patients, who may have dealt with excruciating pain and other complications related to their side effects.

Zimmer Durom Cup Trials Move Forward in MDL

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) issued a warning in October 2010 about potential the risk of metal poisoning from hip replacements, indicating that patients and the medical community should be aware that pain months after hip surgery may be a sign of cobalt toxicity. Since then, lawsuits involving Zimmer’s Durom Cup hip replacement have sky rocketed due to both; Metallosis and Zimmer hip implant failures. Zimmer announced that it had set aside $150 million to deal with any and all settlements concerning their defective hip but, since more and more lawsuits keep coming forward, this number is sure to grow.

Zimmer Hip Lawyers Could Help Plaintiffs Net Thousands

Although as with any litigation, it is not clear how much compensation a plaintiff stands to receive if he or she wins a Durom Cup case against Zimmer Holdings, the amount could be significant, especially since the vast number of people affected negatively by the hip replacement system is indicative of a flaw in the product. Zimmer first introduced its hip replacement system to the market in 2006, and it was not long before complaints started coming in of side effects such as hip implant dislocation, pain, stiffness, and perhaps most notably, metal poisoning. The metal-on-metal nature of the device caused the two components of the hip replacement system to rub together, shredding microscopic bits of metal into the patient’s bloodstream and surrounding tissues. This caused metallosis, or metal poisoning, in some patients, a condition which can cause severe pain and inflammation. Patients across the country are filing Zimmer hip lawsuits to recieve the compensation they deserve.

FDA Investigates Metal Poisoning from Zimmer Hip Replacements

As concerns grow about the levels of cobalt and chromium shed by metal on metal hip replacement devices, the FDA is ordering manufacturers to conduct followup research on patients to see what health effects the implants may have. In all, FDA sent a total of 145 post marketing surveillance orders to 21 different manufacturers including Zimmer. When completed, the studies will include information about the level at which the metal particles shed by hip replacements becomes dangerous, how much metal the devices actually shed, and what the potential side effects are. It is known that over time, metal particles around some implants can lead to damage to bone and/or tissue around the implant or joint. This damage is referred to by some as an "adverse local tissue reaction (ALTR)" or an "adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD)." Many patients are experiencing Zimmer hip implant failure and need a revision surgery.

Zimmer Hip Lawsuit Settlements On the Horizon

As a result of the ongoing Zimmer hip lawsuits filed by patients who have experienced side effects as a result of Zimmer hip replacement systems, several settlements have been given out, amounts that could help compensate for costs associated with the hip replacement complications. Medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses will be considered when a settlement is given out.
After a series of lawsuits aimed at the orthopedics manufacturing giant Zimmer surfaced over their metal-on-metal hip replacement systems, Zimmer set aside an amount of $47.5 million in order to cover settlements and jury verdicts surrounding the case. Recently this amount has grown to nearly $145 million, proving that Zimmer is prepared to hand out a significant number of settlements.

Zimmer Places Blame On Doctors for Hip Failures

Since August 19, 2008, Zimmer has been offering web-based training to surgeons to highlight important aspects of the Durom Cup design, pre-operative planning that is necessary and detailed instructions on special surgical techniques that are required. They have indicated that they will start making the Zimmer Durom Hip Cup available to doctors after they complete the internet training. Zimmer allowed approximately 12,000 people in the United States to receive their Durom Cup, even though they knew or should have known that doctors were not provided with adequate warnings and instructions about the surgical techniques required to avoid failure of the hip replacement parts. According to Zimmer’s own estimates, some doctors experienced Zimmer hip implant failure rates as high as 5.7% with the Durom Cup.

Zimmer Hip Failures May Also Be Causing Metal Poisoning

  Metal-on-metal hip replacements, which use cobalt and chromium in their construction, currently account for about one-third of the 250,000 hip replacements performed each year in the United States. However, in recent years, concerns over problems with metal-on-metal hip replacements have been growing. Many metal-on-metal hip replacements have been linked to a high rate of early failure. This is the main focus of what is becoming known as the Zimmer hip lawsuit. Surgeons and doctors were choosing the Zimmer Dorum for patients that, under normal conditions, would require a full hip replacement, especially considering that it was designed to be a long lasting solution. However, almost 12 percent of these patients needed surgery again within two years, caused major emotional and physical reaction.

Zimmer Hip Failure Affects Thousands

Before suspending sales of the Zimmer Durom Cup, Zimmer allowed approximately 12,000 people in the United States to receive their Durom Cup, even though they knew or should have known that doctors were provided with inadequate warnings and instructions about the surgical techniques required to avoid failure of the hip replacement parts. Zimmer’s own research data estimates that some doctors experienced Zimmer hip failure rates as high as 5.7%, though many estimate the numbers much higher. For months after doctors started reporting Zimmer Durom hip problems, Zimmer ignored safety concerns and refused to conduct a full investigation. According to current lawsuits, Zimmer has allowed thousands of people to be implanted with the Durom Cup without adequately disclosing the risks and necessary surgical techniques.

Zimmer Hip Lawyers Investigate

The FDA has received a large amount of reports stating that surgeons are performing revision surgeries on individuals with Zimmer hip implant failure. These reports have indicated that during the Durom Cup hip replacement revision surgery, surgeons observed the acetabular component of the Zimmer Durom Cup had loosened. Zimmer Durom acetabular cups, used for total hip replacements, had U. S. sales suspended until the firm revises surgical instructions and retrains physicians. The suspension is expected to cost the company between $20 million to $30 million, the company said. Zimmer stopped distributing Durom cups after the beginning of an investigation of its manufacturing process and more than 3,100 Durom Cup implant recipients. The investigation showed elevated incidents of cups loosening and an elevated revision surgery rate.

Zimmer Sets aside $150m for Settlements, 45 Lawsuits go into Mediation

Judge Susan Wigenton of the New Jersey federal court has ordered that 45 lawsuits brought against Zimmer Inc. should go forward into mediation. A third party mediator will be set up to distribute compensation due to side effects and failure of Zimmer’s Durom Cup, used in their hip replacements. $150 million has been set up by Zimmer to compensate the plaintiffs, many of whom suffered severe pain due to the breakdown of the Durom cup, in many cases, within 2-3 years of their initial surgery.

Zimmer Hip Replacement Lawsuits in Multidistrict Litigation

Over five years ago Zimmer started receiving complaints of consumers who were facing severe side effects associated with the product. Now the litigation surrounding the case is close to being resolved, with dozens of plaintiffs waiting for a court decision that might gain them compensation for past and future medical bills for treatments that will help alleviate pain and suffering related to the conditions they have developed.

Patients Wonder: Who Can File a Zimmer Hip Lawsuit?

The Zimmer Durom Cup hip replacement system has become controversial in recent years due to the high rate of failure experienced by patients who had been fitted with the system, and many of these patients are wondering if they are eligible to file a lawsuit against Zimmer. This would be useful to many patients because a lawsuit could mean compensation – relief from some of the medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses that may have been incurred as a result of the side effects associated with the implant.
The Durom Cup has been found to experience a higher rate of failure than similar devices, and because of this Zimmer suspended sales of the device to investigate claims in July of 2008. However, just three months later, they began to sell the product once again. Even before the recall, the Durom Cup was implanted in around 12,000 Americans, and thousands more have been used since the product was reintroduced to the market.

Zimmer Durom Cup Hip Failure Blamed on Doctors

As more and more patients become aware of the design problems and side effects surrounding the Zimmer Durom cup hip replacement system, lawsuits continue to pile up in courts with more and more plaintiffs filing suit against the Zimmer Corporation. More and more surgeons, too, are speaking out about increasing rates of failure.

Zimmer Hip Replacement Lawsuit May Get Underway Soon

Zimmer Holdings, which is a publicly traded company that made over $4 billion in revenue in 2009 alone, is facing a slew of lawsuits over their Durom Cup hip replacement system. Patients using the device have experienced various side effects and complications from the implant, in many cases making life more difficult and causing extensive pain and bodily harm. Although pretrial proceedings for the multidistrict lawsuit surrounding the case may get underway as soon as later this year, Zimmer may try to reach a settlement with plaintiffs.

Planned Settlements for Zimmer Hip Lawsuit Cases

Zimmer Holdings Incorporated, makers of the Zimmer hip replacement system, have been so plagued with lawsuits since the faults in their hip replacement system were revealed that they have set aside $47 million simply to deal with the payouts and settlements the lawsuits will necessitate. Some of the problems with the Zimmer hip replacement are so serious that patients need a risky hip revision surgery, or a second surgery in order to replace or repair the implant. This surgery can cause dozens of its own complications, and can even threaten the life of the patient.
Lawsuits against Zimmer Holdings Incorporated started being filed in 2008, when patients first started reporting problems with their implants. That same year, Zimmer pulled the hip implant from the US market – but has since reintroduced it, claiming that surgical error and not technological error to be at fault in this case, and requiring all surgeons to take a course on proper administration of the implant before using it in surgery. However, this does not stop the flood of lawsuits from pouring in – lawsuits are still being filed, and there is no telling how many of the 12,000 people who received the implant will complain of side effects and file suit against the company. Some studies have shown that, depending on the situation, as many as 5.7% of people who received the implant experienced failure. Patients have complained of hip pain, swelling, and loosening of the implant, all of which detract from the quality of life of the patient and in some cases cannot be remedied simply.
Although the hardware was approved in 2006, it seems as though Zimmer Holdings Incorporated has created a product that has caused gratuitous harm, potentially to thousands of patients. Despite this, they have reintroduced a potentially unsafe product to the US market.

Zimmer Hip Replacement Lawsuit May Get Underway Soon

Zimmer Holdings, which is a publicly traded company that made over $4 billion in revenue in 2009 alone, is facing a slew of lawsuits over their Durom Cup hip replacement system. Patients using the device have experienced various side effects and complications from the defective hip implant, in many cases making life more difficult and causing extensive pain and bodily harm. Although pretrial proceedings for the multidistrict lawsuit surrounding the case may get underway as soon as later this year, Zimmer may try to reach a settlement with plaintiffs.
Zimmer has set aside more than $100 million to handle costs associated with settlements and lawsuits related to their Durom Cup implant system. The company has also already reached out to some victims of the faulty implant, especially those who have had to undergo painful and complicated hip revision surgery to remove and replace the implant. A lawyer for these victims might suggest that they do not take the settlement, which most likely will not represent fair compensation for the suffering they have had to undergo as well as the pain they may continue to experience in the future due to the nature of the implant system. More likely, these patients should file suit against Zimmer in order to receive a greater amount of compensation.
Lawsuits related to the Zimmer case have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation case, which will help speed them through the judicial system. Although there were only 45 lawsuits when the case was approved for multidistrict litigation, experts estimate that there could be hundreds by the time pretrial proceedings begin. The cases, filed in federal courts nationwide, will take place in the District of New Jersey, under Judge Susan D. Wigenton. Although there is no telling what kind of settlement patients may receive, the decision to consolidate the Zimmer hip lawsuits and put them through the New Jersey court brings plaintiffs closer to compensation.

Zimmer Hip Statue of Limitations: Time May Not Have Run Out

Patients who have been affected by the side effects that have come to be associated with Zimmer Durom cup hip replacement systems – hip and groin pain, pain when climbing stairs, and other serious complications – may be interested to know that, while the statue of limitations in their state may have run out, they could still have time to file a Zimmer hip replacement lawsuit.
The statue of limitations, which is the period during which a plaintiff can file papers with court, varies from state to state. In New Jersey, where Zimmer lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation, the statue of limitations is two years – and most, if not all, patients who have received faulty Durom cup implants received them at least two years ago, usually more. Despite this, recipients of a faulty implant may still have time to file a lawsuit.
In most cases, the statue of limitations does not begin until a patient discovers side effects from the hip implant, or is diagnosed with them. For example, a patient who received an implant in 2007 but did not experience side effects until 2010 may still be able to file a Zimmer hip replacement lawsuit until 2012. Additionally, in some cases, the statue of limitations can be extended, which usually takes place when there is a delay in the discovery of a wrongdoing or when a defendant has fraudulently concealed a wrongdoing, such as in the case of a patient who believes his or her pain after surgery to be normal for a few years afterwards, but then realizes it is due to a faulty implant.
However, in any case, only an experienced and trusted lawyer can give truly accurate advice to a potential plaintiff as to whether or not he or she has a Zimmer hip replacement case.

Zimmer Hip Settlements Almost Here

It seems that Zimmer has found themselves waist deep in a pile of lawsuits. The company, which put out a defective hip replacement system in 2008, has started to receive countless lawsuits regarding their hip implants. Because of this, they have set aside $47 million dollars to pay out settlements instead of going to court.

No Settlements Yet

Even though Zimmer has placed aside $47 million dollars in order to pay for settlements, there still have been no publicly announced settlements. However, the payouts are just around the corner, because patients are still coming forward to this day, complaining about Zimmer and their implants, and complaining about the extreme pain and swelling that they are feeling.

Zimmer Hip Replacement Problems

So how exactly did all the lawsuits against Zimmer start? Lawsuits against Zimmer began to surface in 2008 when a large number of patients began to experience problems with their Zimmer hip replacement systems. These patients experienced many symptoms, like loosening of the joint, and many had to go in for hip revision surgery. This forced Zimmer to send out a recall for all of their hip replacement products, which led to a large number of lawsuits being filed against the company. Settlements to patients may number in the millions of dollars.

High Failure Rates

According to multiple studies done on Zimmer’s hip replacement implants, the failure rate of these devices was somewhere around 6%. This is much higher than the industry average. One study saw that 14 out of 160 patients experienced devastating complications with their implant systems.
Settlements to patients are focused on those who have had to go on and have hip revision surgery in order to fix their implant.
After the recall Zimmer actually reintroduced their product into the U.S. market, claiming that surgeons were at fault, and that the device was perfectly fine.

Zimmer Hip Replacement Problems: Just the Facts

Many people are looking for clear, complete information about the Zimmer hip recall because they themselves have experienced Zimmer hip complications, or because they have watched a loved one struggle with Zimmer hip problems or hip revision surgery. Recently a wave of hip replacement recalls has rocked the orthopedic device industry, and it’s more important than ever to understand exactly how product recalls and lawsuits resulting from the Zimmer hip recall may affect you. This article will present the essential facts connected to this important issue, and explain the options that affected parties now face.

Zimmer Durom Cup Recall and Re-release

Zimmer Holdings, one of the largest orthopedic device manufacturers on the planet, was unaware of the serious issues with their Durom Cup implant until a respected surgeon made known his concerns. Dr. Larry Dorr reported in April 2008 that more than 8 percent of the patients he had implanted with a Durom Cup suffered failure of the device and were forced to undergo painful hip revision surgery within 2 years.
The Zimmer Durom Cup was designed to attach directly to the hipbone itself, without any screws or adhesives. But it was determined that in some cases the device simply slips free or even comes popping free from the hipbone. Sales of the implant were temporarily suspended in July 2008, but within a few months Zimmer Holdings was marketing the implant once again, this time with revised implant and fitting instructions for surgeons.
There are still many surgeons who refuse to implant the Zimmer Durom Cup device into their patients. There are 12,500 individuals in the United States who have received a Zimmer Durom cup implant, and dozens these recipients have filed a Zimmer Hip lawsuit against the device manufacturer. If you or someone you know has been implanted with the Zimmer Durom Cup and experienced failure or other complications, consulting a Zimmer Hip lawyer and filing a lawsuit may be the solution.

DePuy ASR Hip Recall and Fallout

The DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implant device was recalled in August 2010, after the manufacturer confirmed failure rates of 12-13 percent taking place within 5 years of implantation. More than 90,000 people around the world have been implanted with the DePuy ASR device, with more than 30,000 of these surgeries taking place in the United States alone.
In early 2011, a British study determined that DePuy’s ASR device fails as much as 50 percent of the time within just 6 years. The implant was designed to function problem-free for at least 15 years. One of the complications the device has been found to cause is metallosis (metal poisoning), which can be lethal. The ASR system can shed cobalt and chromium particles into the patient’s bloodstream, which can result in destruction of surrounding soft tissues and blood poisoning.
To date, victims have filed more than 100 DePuy hip lawsuits in federal courts across the nation. It is expected that thousands more will be in process by the time the earliest lawsuits reach trial—probably in late 2011 or early 2012. Johnson & Johnson, the parent company of DePuy Orthopaedics, has set aside more than $922 to cover legal costs stemming from this recall, which may include DePuy hip lawsuit settlements.

Zimmer Hip Replacement Problems Concern Many

About 12,000 patients have been fitted with the Zimmer hip replacement system, marketed under the name Durom cup, and many of these patients have been experiencing side effects and complications related to their implant that simply should not be happening. Luckily there is a course of action they can take – patients who have experienced any of the following symptoms, or any others believed to be related to the Zimmer hip implant, should first consult their doctors and then seek legal advice to see if they have a chance at a potential settlement in relation to the case.
Startup pain is a complicated side effect, because it is one of the symptoms that almost all hip implant recipients experience in the months following their surgery, because the body is healing around the implant. It involves pain when the patient stands up from a sedentary position. It is somewhat normal for this pain to last for a few months following surgery – however, in many cases with the Zimmer hip replacement, the pain may persist until the device is replaced in a risky second surgery known as a hip revision surgery.
Zimmer hip replacement patients also limp – again, this is true in many cases as patients develop an “antalgic gait” which favors an undamaged limb. However, limping is often more noticeable in Zimmer hip replacement patients than in patients who are healing well and with few complications. Patients also have been reported to experience groin pain, a sharp pain that manifests when the patient stands up from a seated position. This can be so severe that it can prohibit users from enjoying activities for which they have to stand. Other side effects can include pain while walking up and particularly down stairs and loss of endurance.
All of these conditions are cause for concern especially because they may prevent a patient from leading an active life.

Zimmer Hip Settlement Reserve Grows Along with Zimmer Hip Lawsuits

Due to the growing number of plaintiffs who have initiated Zimmer Hip implant lawsuits, Zimmer Holdings, the largest maker of artificial joints in the country, has begun creation of a Zimmer Hip settlement plan. Zimmer’s Durom Cup hip implant was subject to a temporary recall in July 2008, and the number of lawsuits filed against the company has only risen since then.

Zimmer Anticipates Hip Settlement Expenses

Within a few months of the July 2008 recall, Zimmer Holdings reported that the company had reserved $47.5 million to be used to cover legal costs as well as Zimmer hip settlements. By the end of the year, this Zimmer hip settlement money had increased to a to a total of $69 million. Eighteen months after that, in August 2010, Zimmer stated that an additional $75 million had been added, more than doubling the total amount.

Initial Zimmer Hip Settlement Offers

Individuals who received a defective Zimmer Durom Cup hip implant may wonder what these facts mean for their lives. It is known that there are 12,000 Durom hip recipients across the nation.
For these patients, the news means that Zimmer hip settlements are very likely to happen. Some recipients of the faulty device have already accepted a settlement offer. But an even greater number of recipients have rejected a settlement offer from Zimmer.
Many legal professionals advise affected individuals that rejecting these early settlement offers is the smart move right now. It has been determined that many of the offers are not large enough to fairly compensate the injured parties, especially when keeping in mind that many people have had their lives forever changed by having the defective implant.

Zimmer Hip Lawsuits Begin Multidistrict Litigation

Many Zimmer hip lawsuits filed in a federal court in the United States have been consolidated in multidistrict litigation, or MDL. As of June 2010, there were 45 of these lawsuits undergoing MDL, and the number has continued to grow since then. The newer lawsuits are joining those already pending in a New Jersey court where the essential pretrial discovery process has been centralized.
As soon as the latter half of 2011, a costly and drawn out Zimmer hip trial may be underway. Zimmer Holdings could save itself a great deal of time and money by reaching suitable settlements with patients who have filed lawsuits. However, if the orthopedic company chooses to go forward with a trial, it may mean years of legal disputes and negative publicity.
Zimmer is based in Warsaw, Indiana, and is a publicly traded company that reported more than $4 billion in revenue during 2009. Most likely, the defendant will choose a course of action that is least damaging to its reputation. This could translate into more appropriate settlement offers for Zimmer Hip Lawsuit plaintiffs.