Zimmer Hip Lawsuit

From 2006 to 2008, approximately 12,000 people received Zimmer Durom Cup hip implants. They expected reduced pain and greater range of motion; what they didn’t anticipate was device loosening and early hip failure. In 2008, in the wake of patient complaints and doctor warnings, Zimmer temporarily suspended sales of the Durom Cup. At the time, reports suggested that 20% to 30% of all Durom Cup recipients would experience hip replacement problems, and 5.7% of all Durom Cup hip implants would fail.

As a result of unexpectedly high failure rates and complications, many patients chose to file a Zimmer hip replacement lawsuit. On June 9, 2010, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated federal Zimmer hip cases into multidistrict litigation. MDL No. 2158 involves complaints related to Zimmer’s metal-on-metal Durom Acetabular Cup, commonly known as the Durom Cup.

Zimmer hip replacement lawsuits extend beyond Durom Cup

Though the majority of lawsuits involve the company’s Durom Cup, the company is also involved in litigation concerning other Zimmer hip implants. The company currently manufactures hip replacement components (femoral heads and acetabular cups), as well as revision surgery components. These include:

Acetabular Cup Components

• Continuum Acetabular System
• Durom Acetabular Cup
• Trabecular Metal Modular Acetabular System
• Trilogy Acetabular System

Femoral Head Components

• Fitmore Hip Stem
• M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis
• Trabecular Metal Primary Hip Prosthesis
• VerSys Epoch FullCoat Hip

Revision Surgery Components

• Trabecular Metal Acetabular Revision
• Wagner SL Revision Hip
• ZMR Hip Systems

Of these, Zimmer’s Durom Cup and Trilogy Acetabular System have already been cited in lawsuits across the country and around the world.

Hip replacement problems linked to Zimmer hip implants

Unacceptably high early hip failure rates are at the heart of Zimmer hip replacement lawsuit complaints, but reported complications encompass many more issues. These include:

• Premature implant loosening
• Metallosis, or metal poisoning
• Tissue damage
• Premature failure
• Early revision surgery required

Zimmer hip replacement MDL formed

On June 9, 2010, the JPML consolidated 11 federal lawsuits into the Zimmer hip MDL No. 2158. The MDL is centralized in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey under the honorable Judge Susan D. Wigenton. The Zimmer hip MDL joins lawsuits to enable plaintiffs to share information and other resources, but unlike a class action lawsuit, all MDL plaintiffs retain their individual rights to settlements or trial verdicts.

The MDL’s original 11 plaintiffs soon grew exponentially, as more patients became aware that their health problems and hip complications were not random bad luck, but possibly due to a faulty hip implant. Injured claimants say that the manufacturer should have issued a permanent Zimmer hip recall for the Durom Cup.

MDL plaintiffs and patients pursuing individual litigation allege:

• Negligence: That Zimmer was negligent in its testing and marketing of their product
• Manufacturing and design defects: That the Durom Cup is inherently flawed by design
• Failure to warn: That Zimmer knew, or should have known, of problems related to their implant, but failed to warn patients or the medical community
• Breach of warranties: That Zimmer failed to fulfill express and implied warranties
• Negligent and intentional misrepresentation: That the company negligently and intentionally misrepresented the Durom Cup as safe and effective
• Unlawful business practices: That Zimmer, in its development and marketing of the Durom Cup, participated in unlawful business practices
• Unjust enrichment: That Zimmer unfairly profited from sales of the Durom Cup
• Loss of consortium: That spouses and other loved ones have suffered loss of companionship due to Zimmer hip replacement problems

Class action Zimmer hip lawsuit filed in Canada

Though no Zimmer hip class action has been filed in the United States, a major class action lawsuit is proceeding in Canada. The lawsuit formed in 2011, and potentially involved all 5,000+ Canadians who had received Durom Cup hip implants. By 2013, approximately 60 Canadians had joined the class action, and more are expected in light of growing reports of metallosis, or heavy metal poisoning. Canada’s Court of Appeal dismissed in January 2013 a recent appeal by Zimmer; the class action will proceed.

More than $600 million to resolve hip replacement complaints

The number started at $271.7 million – Zimmer funds reserved for patients who required early hip revision surgery. Then, in September 2011 Zimmer estimated that it had a remaining liability of $142.6 million, to resolve pending cases involving any Durom Cup surgeries completed before July 22, 2008.

At the time, Zimmer stated it would only settle cases filed within a certain timeframe; the company was later forced to revise its position. Zimmer’s updated stance is that it will address all lawsuit claims involving surgeries before July 22, 2008, regardless of when the lawsuits were filed. Then the manufacturer indicated it had reserved an additional $10.2 million for Zimmer hip replacement lawsuit complaints involving surgeries after the July 2008 deadline. The total estimated cost: $424.5 million.

In November 2012, a quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicated that Zimmer had already paid a staggering $388.2 million in Zimmer hip lawsuit settlements to plaintiffs suffering Durom Cup hip replacement problems. Even more, the manufacturer indicated that it expected to spend at least $230 million more to settle these lawsuits by 2014. The total estimated cost had risen to $618.2 million.

Pending Zimmer hip lawsuits

Multidistrict litigation always kicks off with one or more bellwether trials – plaintiffs whose cases represent the general allegations of other involved lawsuits. The results of each bellwether trial have no direct effect on other MDL cases, but do set a tone for how the MDL could proceed.

The first Zimmer MDL bellwether trial was scheduled for September 2012. However, due to mediation and settlements, by 2013 no federal trial has begun. However, new lawsuits have been added to the MDL, and litigation is still pending. It is likely that the MDL will proceed with remaining plaintiffs after Zimmer has finalized settlement agreements.

How a Zimmer hip lawyer can help

Defective medical device lawsuits, including those concerning Zimmer hip replacements, are often complicated. Hundreds of plaintiffs across 50 states may file complaints, and attorneys must navigate Zimmer denials and defense tactics, and coordinate information about scientific studies and clinical testing, as well as depositions and discovery, FDA adverse event reports – the list goes on and on. It’s normal for this to be overwhelming, and that’s why you need a qualified, experienced Zimmer hip lawyer on your side.

Think of your attorney as a guide to the legal process. Your lawyer should understand the general ins-and-outs of medical lawsuits, as well as the specific details of hip litigation against Zimmer. He or she will stay current on all news related to your lawsuit, including new research that can help establish Zimmer’s negligence and liability. A good Zimmer hip lawyer will explain the basics, but won’t overwhelm you. He or she will advise you of your options, but will never make a decision on your behalf without your consent.

Your Zimmer hip attorney can help you negotiate an out-of-court settlement, or will take your case to trial. It should always your choice; your lawyer is there to facilitate the process and advise you whenever necessary.