Category: defective hip replacement

Perhaps your father’s Stryker hip device failed and left him in terrible pain – unable to work around the house or enjoy his retirement. Or perhaps your Stryker Rejuvenate hip stem or ABG II modular hip stem caused heavy metal poisoning in your hip joint and created “pseudo tumors,” prompting tremendous pain and anxiety.

In either case, you want three things:

1. To understand why these Stryker hip replacement components caused you pain and suffering;
2. To find out what you can do to fix your medical problems; and,
3. To obtain compensation from Stryker for your medical bills and your pain.

In a 2-part blog post, we will explain the basics about the complex legal battle over Stryker’s Rejuvenate Modular Hip Stem System and its ABG II Modular Hip Neck and Stem System.

Why Did These Medical Products Get Recalled?

As you probably already know, the Stryker Company recalled both products in July 2012. They had been on the market since 2008 – more than four years.

Both products contain cobalt, chromium and titanium components designed to mimic the body’s own connective tissues, bone, and structures. Unfortunately, many Stryker patients complained about post-operative problems, such as pain and swelling in the hip; trouble flexing the hip or walking upstairs; and clicking and squeaking sounds from the device.

More serious problems were also reported, such as hip dislocations, the formation of “pseudo” tumors, and heavy metal poisoning caused by the abrading of the metal-on-metal components.

To correct these problems, many patients need additional surgeries, which can lead to further medical complications. For instance, during surgery to extract the defective hip device, many Stryker patients have suffered femur fracturing.

Battle Plan to Obtain Compensation

An attorney representing a Stryker victim client cannot guarantee results but they will take the right case on a contingency basis, which means that only get paid if they get the client a recovery. A winning case will depend on several factors, such as:

• The extent of the harm;
• The amount of income or wages (past, present, and future) lost;
• The impact of medical problems on the quality of life;
• The quality and timeliness of the case that is prepared;
• Decisions in other similar cases that might influence your case;

You can obtain compensation for:

• Pain, suffering and disability;
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation;
• Past and Future Medical expenses;
• The cost of modifications you need make to your home or workplace to accommodate disability;
• Nursing care;
• Loss of wages or income
• Loss of consortium;
• Other damages.

Get Experienced Aggressive Lawyers For Your Stryker Case

Attorney Dean Goetz and his team have lots of experience helping Stryker defective hip patients. Call Mr. Goetz now to schedule a free, no obligation consultation: 858-481-8844.

Call Dean Goetz NOW. You can call 858-481-884 and talk to Attorney Goetz personally. Understand your options, and take decisive steps toward getting your claim resolved.

You or someone you love has experienced pain, metal poisoning, false tumors, or other horrendous symptoms as a result of Stryker Rejuvenate or ABG II modular-hip devices. You’re both furious and scared. Your defective hip has cost you dearly in terms of lost work time, major medical bills, and nursing and rehab costs… not to mention incalculable pain and anxiety.

So how does a company like Stryker obtain funds to compensate people like you?

Here’s one source…

The Associated Press reports that Stryker Corporation recently won $228 million in damages from a rival medical device company, Zimmer Holdings Inc. The two companies both create and market orthopedic medical devices.

Stryker took its rival to court in 2010, alleging that Zimmer engaged in patent infringement. At issue were Zimmer’s Pulsavac Plus lavage devices — instruments used in surgery to spray and suction out wounds and tissue.

After reviewing evidence, the jury found that Zimmer willfully infringed on Stryker’s patents, and it awarded Stryker $70 million in damages. U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker then tripled that award, because Zimmer infringed on three separate patents. Judge Jonker came down hard on Zimmer, saying “the trial proof demonstrated that this was not a close case.” He even said that the $210 million verdict “may not be enough, without enhancement” to prevent Zimmer from infringing again, because its strategy of copying Stryker proved so lucrative. The Judge added $18 million to the $210 million to cover interest and other costs.

Zimmer plans to appeal both the judge’s ruling and the jury’s verdict.

Implications for Your Potential Legal Action Against Stryker for Defective Hip Problems

The Stryker-Zimmer feud demonstrates just how much money corporations play for when they compete in the medical device market. Companies like Stryker bring in large annual revenues. This cash flow, in part, is how they’re able to afford to litigate mass tort lawsuits. For help understanding what to do next regarding your Stryker defective hip case, call attorney Dean Goetz at 858-481-8844 to obtain a free and confidential consultation.