Common Allegations in Pinnacle Recipients May Indicate a DePuy Pinnacle Recall
While a DePuy Pinnacle recall has not been suggested by either DePuy Orthopaedics or its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, the growing numbers of similar complaints seem to indicate a recall is imminent. Over 1,300 complaints have been received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning the Pinnacle device, with a significant number of these complaints focused on the device loosening from the bone, causing device failure. Consequently, since it has been almost a year since two other hip replacements manufactured by DePuy were removed from the market, a potential statute of limitations could have serious implications for Pinnacle recipients.
Loosening of the device where the metal ball fits in the metal lined cup of the replacement joint is known to cause severe pain in most patients. One plaintiff filed a case against DePuy and Johnson & Johnson on November 30, 2010 in the United States District Court in California. The complaint brings allegations that loosening of the shaft where the ball fits into the cup has led the patient to suffer severe nerve pain. The patient then developed an abnormal gait, resulting in her requiring corrective surgery on her hip. According to a recent report, one out of eight patients will require corrective surgery within five years after the initial hip replacement procedure.
Other numerous recipients have come forward with complaints of pain that is more than likely associated with the hip replacement loosening prematurely in some way. Most of these patients describe the pain as debilitating due to its severity and chronic nature. The pain is also associated with doing simple tasks, such as leaning forward, standing up, sitting down, and straightening the legs.
The device failing due to premature loosening shows DePuy’s inability to establish that the product was durable enough to meet industry standards, making a strong case for a DePuy Pinnacle recall. Major companies, like DePuy Orthopaedics, are so overly concerned with making a profit that they overlook the safety of their products. Subsequently, people get injured, and the companies are faced with the consequences of their negligence in the form of expensive lawsuits. One claim alleges that the Pinnacle device is “unsafe and has not been tested,” and has been filed in the United States District Court for the State of New Jersey.
In previous lawsuits, DePuy has allocated as much as $1 billion for those harmed by their defective hip replacements. If you are suffering from pain caused by DePuy’s defective hip replacement, fight for the compensation that you are entitled to.Visit the DePuy Pinnacle recall website for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer.