Tennessee plaintiff Ricky Peterson filed a metal hip implant lawsuit against Biomet Orthoapedics LLC for the injuries he allegedly sustained from their M2A magnum metal hip implant device. Peterson claims that as a direct result of using the device, he suffered serious and debilitating injuries.

Peterson underwent hip replacement surgery on Oct. 4, 2011 in which Biomet’s metal hip implant was used to replace his failing joint. At the time the plaintiff chose to use the device, Biomet had advertised the metal-on-metal implant to be safe and effective for the intended use the patient had asked for, he claims in his hip implant lawsuit.

Peterson underwent the procedure without expecting any ill hip implant side effects to come as consequence, the hip implant lawsuit says. While the metal hip implant worked sometime after the surgery, Peterson had begun feeling pain in his right hip in August 2013. After the pain lasted for more than a month, Peterson underwent diagnostic testing, which revealed that the device had loosened inside him.

A little less than a month after his metal hip implant had been found to be loose, the Tennessee man was also diagnosed with metallosis, or blood-metal poisoning, due to the effects of the device. In March 2014, Peterson had Biomet’s hip implant extracted and replaced with a different hip implant, according to the metal-on-metal hip replacement lawsuit.

Until October 2013, Peterson had been unaware that the events he suffered were commonly reported metal hip implant side effects that had been reported in other patients. Soon after, Peterson filed this hip implant lawsuit claiming that he was not given full disclosure of the device, at the time he chose it.

Peterson insists that he never would have used the device if he had known about the metal-on-metal hip implant side effects. The plaintiff’s legal team states that Biomet had the civil responsibility of warning Peterson and other patients of all metal hip implant side effects their devices may carry, because they rely on the accuracy of the given information.

For being allegedly responsible for manufacturing, selling, distributing, and marketing a dangerous product, Peterson filed this metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit against Biomet. The charges include: negligence, false advertising, concealing information, and misrepresenting a product.

This Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant Lawsuit is Ricky Peterson v. Biomet Orthopaedics LLC, Case No. 3:14-cv-01754-RLM-CAN, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Greeneville Division.

Overview of Biomet Metal Hip Implant Complications

When metal-on-metal hip implants were first conceived, they were thought to be a superior alternative to the ceramic and plastic products already available. They were believed to be more durable product and have a longer life, and were advertised to be able to take harsher movements during physical activities, like running. Additionally, it was said that some of these metal hip implants could be custom fitted to specific bodies, making them especially popular among younger patients. Despite all the benefits the devices promised, it was not long after its release that severe problems were reported.

Biomet promoted the M2A Magnum Hip System as having better durability, and having greater resistance to wear and fretting compared to other metal hip implants. This proved not to be the case, as numerous injury reports indicated that the device had caused metallosis, tissue infection, formed pseudotumors, and were even reported to sporadically fail. In early 2014, Biomet agreed to pay $56 million to settle hundreds of metal hip implant lawsuits.

Medical experts explain that the metal hip implant side effects occur because the ball-and-socket joints rub together, which releases metal ions into the bloodstream. Despite the overwhelming health concerns of the M2A Magnum and other metal-on-metal hip implants, Biomet continues to have their product remain on the market.