Hip Replacement Lawyer

Defective Hip Replacement Lawsuits in Syracuse, New York

Hip replacement surgery should improve your quality of life, not destroy it. Unfortunately, thousands of patients have suffered devastating injuries from defective hip replacements manufactured by DePuy, Biomet, and Stryker. If your hip implant has failed, caused metal poisoning, or required revision surgery, our Syracuse hip replacement lawsuit lawyers at Gillette & Izzo can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

We’ve recovered millions in settlements for clients injured by faulty medical devices. Call 315-421-1000 today for a free consultation with an experienced defective hip replacement attorney.

Major Hip Replacement Failures and Recalls

Several hip implant systems have been recalled or subject to mass litigation due to unacceptably high failure rates. Our hip replacement lawsuit attorneys have handled cases involving:

DePuy ASR Hip Implant

In August 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics recalled its ASR Hip Resurfacing System and ASR XL Acetabular System after data from the National Joint Registry of England and Wales showed that 13% of patients needed revision surgery within five years—more than double the expected failure rate.

The recall affected more than 93,000 patients worldwide, including 30,000 in the United States. Patients reported severe complications including:

• Premature implant failure and loosening

• Toxic metal ion poisoning (metallosis)

• Tissue necrosis and bone death

• Severe hip and groin pain

• Difficulty walking and mobility loss

In 2013, DePuy’s parent company Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $2.5 billion to settle thousands of ASR hip implant claims. Despite this massive settlement, litigation continues as more patients discover their implants have failed.

DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant

The DePuy Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip system has been the subject of thousands of lawsuits alleging similar defects to the ASR system. Juries have awarded over $1 billion across multiple trials, with thousands of additional cases still pending.

Pinnacle patients suffered from:

• Cobalt and chromium poisoning

• Pseudotumors (inflammatory masses)

• Hip pain requiring revision surgery

• Permanent tissue and bone damage

Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II

In July 2012, Stryker voluntarily recalled its Rejuvenate Modular and ABG II Modular-Neck Hip Stems due to reports of fretting and corrosion at the modular-neck junction. This corrosion released metal debris into patients’ bodies, causing metallosis and requiring premature revision surgery.

Stryker LFIT V40 Femoral Head

In August 2016, Stryker recalled more than 42,500 LFIT V40 femoral heads after receiving multiple complaints that the taper lock on the femoral head failed. At least 635 federal lawsuits have been filed due to problems with this device.

Biomet Hip Implant Systems

Biomet (now Zimmer Biomet) has faced litigation over multiple hip implant systems, including the Biomet M2a Magnum and Biomet Mallory-Head systems. Patients reported accelerated wear, metallosis, and premature failure.

Understanding Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Dangers

Many defective hip replacements use a metal-on-metal (MoM) design, where both the ball and socket are made of metal alloys. As the FDA has warned, metal-on-metal hips can release microscopic metal particles into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream through normal wear.

Metallosis: Metal Poisoning from Hip Implants

When metal debris accumulates in tissue, it causes a condition called metallosis. According to medical research, elevated levels of cobalt and chromium can cause:

• Pseudotumors: Inflammatory masses that damage tissue

• Tissue necrosis: Death of muscle and soft tissue

• Bone loss: Destruction of bone around the implant

• Neurological symptoms: Cognitive impairment, peripheral neuropathy

• Cardiovascular problems: Cardiomyopathy, heart failure

• Vision and hearing loss: Optic nerve damage, tinnitus, deafness

• Thyroid dysfunction: Hypothyroidism

• Kidney damage: Particularly concerning for patients with impaired kidney function

Pregnant women with elevated cobalt levels may pose risks to their developing babies.

Symptoms of Failed Hip Replacements

Contact our hip replacement lawsuit lawyers immediately if you’re experiencing:

• Severe groin or hip pain that worsens over time

• Audible clicking, popping, or grinding in the hip

• Difficulty walking or bearing weight

• Hip instability or feeling that your hip might give out

• Swelling or fluid accumulation around the hip

• Muscle weakness in the hip or leg

• Skin discoloration or changes around the surgical site

• Drainage from the incision (even years after surgery)

• Systemic symptoms like fatigue, cognitive changes, or cardiovascular issues

Early diagnosis is critical. The longer a defective implant remains in place, the more extensive the tissue and bone damage becomes.

Revision Surgery for Failed Hip Implants

Removing and replacing a failed hip implant requires revision surgery, which is significantly more complex than the original procedure. According to orthopedic surgeons at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, revision surgeries involve:

• More extensive tissue dissection through scar tissue

• Greater bone loss requiring bone grafting or augmentation

• Longer operative time (often 3-4 hours or more)

• Higher infection risk compared to primary surgery

• Extended recovery (typically 6-12 months)

• Reduced function even after successful revision

• Increased risk of future implant failure

Many patients require multiple revision surgeries throughout their lifetime, with each subsequent surgery becoming progressively more difficult.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Hip Replacement Lawsuit?

Our experienced defective hip replacement attorneys pursue maximum compensation for all damages:

• Medical expenses: Revision surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, medications, imaging studies, blood tests for metal ion levels

• Future medical costs: Ongoing monitoring, additional revision surgeries, long-term pain management

• Lost wages: Time off work for surgery, recovery, and medical appointments

• Loss of earning capacity: Permanent disability preventing return to previous employment

• Home modifications: Assistive devices, accessibility improvements

Contact Us About How A Dangerous Or Defective Medical Product Harmed You

We provide a free consultation with an experienced defective medical products attorney in Syracuse, New York. To schedule an appointment with Gillette & Izzo Law Office, complete our intake form or call 315-421-1000. We represent all clients injured by a dangerous or defective medical product on a contingency basis. You do not owe any legal fees unless we recover compensation for you.