What Happened:
As many Virginians already know, all-metal hip implant devices have been under an enormous amount of scrutiny in recent years given the information that continues to come out concerning possible safety risks posed to patients. The major recall of DePuy ASR hip implants after unexpectedly high rates of failure were revealed sparked a change in the way the devices were viewed by many in the medical community.
Since that first recall was announced, study after study has added to the weight of evidence about the dangerous side effects associated with the all-metal devices. One such problem is the metal shavings that are released into patients’ bloodstreams. These metal shavings are thought to be responsible for organ damage, bone and tissue problems and maybe even cancer. A new study published in the journal, Human & Experimental Toxicology, shows that cobalt has been detected in unusual amounts in patients with the implants. Cobalt has long been known for its toxic effects on various systems in the human body as well as its ability to cause allergic reactions and even cancer.
The journal revealed that high levels of cobalt have been found in patients with the all-metal hip implants who have complained of various symptoms including ringing in the ear, deafness, dizziness, blurry vision and vision loss. The exposure to the cobalt appears to have occurred due to movement in the device producing very small amounts of materials that are shed.
The research also pointed out that there are other studies which have shown the same thing. Another study showed that cobalt levels were higher in the first two years following surgery and then again when devices first began to fail.
The Virginia Injury Lawyer’s Perspective:
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a dangerous or defective product, especially a metal-on-metal hip implant device, you should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. There is a finite period of time to take legal action against those responsible for manufacturing the device and once the statute of limitations expires, you are barred from seeking compensation.
The manufacturers that created these all-metal implants that have caused harm to patients should be held responsible for their actions. Some companies, such as DePuy Orthopaedics, Stryker, Zimmer, Biomet and Wright Medical Technology have already begun recalls to try and stop their products from causing further harm. Attorneys with our Virginia personal injury law firm have helped many victims of dangerous and defective products recover damages from companies whose negligence or disregard for consumer safety led to injuries.
Helpful Info:
If you or a family member has been injured by a defective or dangerous product, you can begin to learn about your legal rights and options by reading this article.
Have Questions?
We maintain a library of attorneys’ answers to frequently asked questions regarding recalled products.
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