Biomet Agrees to $56 Million Settlement for Defective Hip Implant Lawsuits
Hundreds of individuals adversely affected by Biomet’s M2a hip implants may receive compensation through the recently agreed upon $56 million settlement.
Artificial hip implant maker Biomet has agreed to pay $56 million to settle M2a Magnum hip implant lawsuits filed in the federal court system, which allege that problems with the design of the metal-on-metal devices caused implant recipients to require revision surgery. Biomet currently faces about 1,000 hip implant lawsuits, all of which involve similar allegations that patients suffered side effects of the BiometM2a 38 or M2a Magnum hip replacements, with many of the cases requiring removal of the implant. If you received a metal-on-metal hip implant and required revision surgery to remove or replace the defective device, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers harmed by dangerous products, and can put you in touch with a reputable attorney who has experience litigating hip implant cases.
Side Effects of Metal-on-Metal Hips
The Biomet M2a Magnum is a metal-on-metal hip implant, much like the all-metal DePuy ASR hip implant, which was recalled from the U.S. market in August 2010 due to an increased risk of complications leading to a need for revision surgery for patients. According to allegations raised in Biomet hip implant lawsuits, the design of the metal-on-metal device causes excessive amounts of chromium and cobalt to corrode and wear from the surfaces of the implant as the metal parts rub against one another during normal use. This excessive wear makes the Biomet M2a hip implant prone to failure, which can lead to side effects like pain, problems walking, and the need for revision surgery to remove or replace the device.
Biomet’s Hip Implant Settlement Agreement
Since October 2012, federal litigation involving metal-on-metal Biomet hip implants has been centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL), where the cases are being coordinated for pretrial proceedings. According to an order issued on February 3, Biomet has agreed to settle all cases in the MDL where patients have required revision surgery, and the hip manufacturer will reportedly pay a base amount of $200,000 to each claimant, with additional factors impacting the individual allocation for each hip implant case. The Biomet settlement agreement will apply to all hip implant cases confirmed and filed on or before April 15, 2014, and will exclude claims made by plaintiffs who have not undergone revision surgery. However, if these plaintiffs do end up getting their implants removed, they may then be eligible to take part in the settlement agreement.
Contact a Defective Hip Implant Attorney Today
It wasn’t long after the Biomet M2a hip implant was introduced that the device maker began receiving reports of implant failures, and critics argue that the problems should have resulted in a hip implant recall. As early as August 2004, Biomet received a complaint involving a patient who required revision surgery to remove an M2a Magnum device that had become loose only three years after it was implanted. If you believe you have been adversely affected by the Biomet M2a hip implant or another potentially dangerous metal-on-metal hip replacement system, contact an experienced defective hip implant lawyer to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a product liability lawsuit against the device maker, in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.