Stern Law Addressing Your Questions About Biomet Hip Implant Cases

If you had a hip replacement surgery using a metal-on-metal hip implant, like the M2a-Magnum™, and developed a subsequent injury, you might be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer. Contact Stern Law, PLLC, today to speak with one of our experienced product attorneys about your legal options.

Hip Surgery and Implants

The hip joint is composed of a ball-and-socket system, in which the ball is located on the top of the femur bone, and the socket is located in the pelvic bone. In a healthy hip, tissue and cartilage cushion the joint and create ease of movement. But throughout time, and usually as a result of arthritis, that tissue and cartilage wear down, causing pain and immobility.

In these situations, many patients decide to undergo total hip arthroplasty, or a full hip replacement. During this procedure, a surgeon removes the damaged portions of the hip and places a ball-and-cup implant to give the patient a new hip joint.

What is the M2a-Magnum™?

The M2a-Magnum™ is one kind of implant that surgeons can select for use during a total hip replacement. It is manufactured by Biomet, Inc., and is a metal-on-metal implant. This means both the ball and the cup are made of metal. In the case of the M2a-Magnum™, the metal used to form the implant is called cobalt chromium. The cup is implanted in the pelvic bone, and the ball is implanted on top of the femur bone so that it rests inside the cup, forming a new joint.

What are the Potential M2a-Magnum™ Injuries?

Studies have shown that, as the metal components of the M2a-Magnum™ rub together and wear down, they can release metal ions into the body. These deposits of metal can build up and lead to a condition known as metallosis. The symptoms of this condition commonly include:

• Severe pain when moving and when at rest
• Recurrent infection
• Ongoing postoperative inflammation and swelling
• Fluid buildup around the site of implantation
• Bone deterioration
• Metal toxicity or chromium poisoning
• Failure or dislocation of the hip implant
• Feelings of confusion or dizziness
• Headaches
• Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
• Skin rashes
• Visual or hearing disturbances
• Hypothyroidism

Treatment for metallosis will almost always involve surgery, and the condition can sometimes be fatal.

How Do I know if I Have a M2a-Magnum™?

In order to file a lawsuit against Biomet (the hip implant manufacturer), a person must be able to prove he or she had a Biomet implant. Generally before surgery, surgeons will discuss the implant they intend to place, but do not always call the implant by its brand name. So you might know that you have a metal-on-metal hip implant while having no idea what it’s called or who manufactured it. Many of our clients do not know what kind of implant they have when they first contact us about their cases, and we always tell them not to worry.

When you sign up with Stern Law, we will track down that information for you. After we receive your potential claim, we will immediately order medical records from the day of your hip replacement surgery. Included in our records order, we request copies of the intraoperative notes and implant reports from your surgery. Those records will usually contain a product sticker or lot number that identifies the specific brand and manufacturer of your hip implant. We call this sticker or lot number “product identification.” Once we have identified what kind of hip implant you have, we can discuss how to move forward.

What Kind of Settlement Could I Receive?

In 2014, Biomet agreed to pay $56 million to settle the M2a-Magnum™ cases pending at that time in the Multidistrict Litigation in the Northern District of Indiana federal court. While we cannot guarantee specific outcomes in any current case, we can guarantee that when you choose Stern Law for your legal representation, your claim will receive the attention it deserves. Our accomplished lawyers have more than 30 years’ experience litigating cases against the nation’s largest medical device corporations, and we have a reputation for achieving results.

We will seek to secure the following types of damages for your medical device claim:

• Past medical bills

• Future medical bills

• Past lost wages

• Future lost wages

• Compensation for past and future mental and physical pain and suffering

• Punitive damages, if appropriate

Contact Stern Law, PLLC

If you or a loved one had a metal-on-metal hip implant and developed a related injury, contact Stern Law, PLLC today. We have the skills and resources to protect your rights, and we can start with a confidential consultation at no cost to you. Contact us by calling (844) 808-7529, and schedule your free consultation with an experienced product liability attorney.