Specialist Lawyers Alert Metal On Metal Hip Patients To Court Deadline

People injured by Zimmer Durom metal on metal hip prostheses have until the 31 October 2015 to join a group action being pursued in the Royal Courts of Justice.

The group action, formally en titled the ’Zimmer Metasul Large Diameter Head and Zimmer Durom Metal on Metal Hip Litigation’ concerns claims for injury caused by Zimmer Durom acetabular component and Metasul large femoral head total hip replacement or resurfacing devices.

It is alleged that these hip prostheses were defective because of their high failure rates and their tendency to release harmful metal debris into the hip joint, causing significant and permanent disability in some cases.

It is anticipated that around 100 claims will be registered by the closure deadline. After closure of the register, the Court will issue further directions aimed at preparing the cases for trial.

Expert Opinion

"The Zimmer litigation is the forerunner of a number of groups of claims in this jurisdiction concerning metal on metal hips. Liability is denied by all of the manufacturers concerned, and so the progress of the Zimmer action will be closely scrutinised by all concerned with metal on metal hip litigation.

"The cut off date imposed by the Court represents a final opportunity for Claimants with a potential claim to come forward and join the group action.

"Although it will be possible for claims to be brought outside of the group action after the cut off date, those claimants will not necessarily be able to take advantage of the extensive evidence which the Claimant’s steering committee of law firms have accumulated in what is an extremely complex group action. In my view, the group litigation therefore represents the best opportunity to successfully pursue these claims

"Because all claims require some investigation before a register application can be made, I would urge any Zimmer hip patients to contact us now for a preliminary assessment of their claim. If you have a potential claim, you can contact Irwin Mitchell’s legal helpline or e mail me directly." Matthew Newbould - Associate Solicitor

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Defective Product Claims.