Illinois Man Sues Stryker Over Failed Hip Implants

Illinois resident George Chivari has filed a Stryker Rejuvenate lawsuit against Howmedica Osteonics Corporation (d/b/a Stryker Corporation) alleging that the company’s metal-on-metal hip implant caused him severe personal injury and bodily harm.

Chivari alleges in the Stryker hip implant lawsuit that he underwent a surgery on November 4, 2011, for a complete hip replacement — a surgery which is often recommended for patients with severe hip-joint damage due to an injury or arthritis. An artificial joint system, such as the Rejuvenate hip implant, was supposed to restore motion and relieve pain. However, Chivari alleges that sometime after his surgery he began to experience “significant pain and discomfort,” according to his Stryker Rejuvenate lawsuit.

Chivari’s physician confirmed his claims through diagnostics testing, and said that he was suffering from metallosis, or heavy metal poisoning. Chivari underwent revision surgery on December 19, 2012. Chivari alleges in the lawsuit that Stryker issued a defective hip implant device, and is charging the company with failing to adequately test their product. The Stryker hip implant lawsuit further alleges that the manufacturing techniques for the Rejuvenate hip replacement were below adequate levels of development, and neither Chivari nor his healthcare professionals received adequate warnings regarding the potential risks of metal poisoning.

Chivari is seeking compensatory and punitive damages from Stryker for loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement, physical impairment, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff’s medical complications are expected to continue, furthering his medical expenses.

Stryker Hip Implant Lawsuits Mount

Unfortunately, Chivari’s situation is not uncommon. Hundreds of other plaintiffs have filed Stryker Rejuvenate lawsuits alleging similar side effects and complications. These complications include: difficulty walking, bone fractures, damage to surrounding tissues, and the formation of pseudotumors around the hip implant site.

The Rejuvenate hip replacement system was first brought to the United States by the defendants in June 2008. The Rejuvenate System is a dual modular hip replacement, which consists of metal and ceramic components. The metal components are made up of chromium, cobalt, and titanium. It was said that the device could offer a safer alternative to other metal-on-metal implants, which caused the same problems that Chivari is currently facing. However, many plaintiffs have complained of the same metal contamination in their bloodstream, caused by the friction between the metal parts, which releases metal ions into the body.

Heavy metal poisoning can cause symptoms such as:

• Pain and Soreness
• Swelling
• Kidney Damage
• Liver Damage
• Heart Enlargement
• Increased risk of Bladder Cancer
• Vision Impairment
• Hearing Impairment

Stryker Issues Hip Implant Recall

In response to the adverse reports of metal poisoning caused by their metal hip implants, the defendants issued an Urgent Field Safety Notice in April 2012. The notice announced the potential for corrosion and fretting, which could cause device failure, at the neck and the stem system points. In their previous marketing campaigns, the defendants had assured the public that this problem would not occur at all with the Rejuvenate design.

Following the safety notice, the defendants also issued a voluntary recall of the Rejuvenate hip replacement system in Canada. However, the defendants waited until July 2012 to recall their Rejuvenate devices in the United States.

Chivari’s case is currently being processed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under the Honorable George M. Marovich.

Take Legal Action

If you believe that you or a loved one has been the victim of a Stryker Metal Hip injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Stryker Metal Hip Implant Recall Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned hip implant lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The hip implant attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.