Product Liability Experts Advise Those Affected To Come Forward Before February Deadline

Specialist medical product liability lawyers at Irwin Mitchell representing 30 people who have claim to have suffered injuries and health problems due to Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip devices, as part of a group action, have urged others who may be affected to come forward before a February deadline.

A number of individuals fitted with the implants have reported that they failed prematurely, with some people going on to suffer with problems alleged to have been caused by metal wear debris released by the implants (often referred to as an adverse reaction to metal debris, or ARMD).

ARMD can cause damage to the soft tissues around the hip, as well as damage to the bone in some cases. This has led to the need for revision surgery, and in some cases permanent disability and ongoing problems. It is being claimed that the implants were defective because they failed to provide the level of safety that people were entitled to expect.

A Group Litigation Order was granted by the Court in July 2014 relating to the DePuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Hip Litigation. A cut-off date of 14 February 2016 has been set for individuals affected by these issues to join the current group action.

Expert lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, which forms part of the steering committee, have called for people who believe they may have suffered injuries due to DePuy Pinnacle metal-on-metal implants to seek advice and make contact before the February 2016 deadline.

Tim Annett, a specialist medical product liability lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“What we have found is that many patients who have been fitted with metal-on-metal hip implants are reporting very similar problems.

“We continue to receive enquiries from people who have had issues with these medical devices and our investigations are ongoing into the injuries our clients have suffered.

“It is alleged that the claimants have suffered injury due to ARMD, leading to the need for revision surgery far earlier than would have been the case with a more conventional type of hip implant, and in many cases with a worse outcome. Revision surgery is a major undertaking and as with all surgery there can be complications.

“The Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has recommended that all patients with so-called ‘large head’ metal on metal devices should have regular reviews and depending on their symptoms, further investigations which may include blood tests to check metal ion levels, and MRI scanning. In some cases, revision surgery will be required, so it is important for anyone with a metal-on-metal implant who is suffering pain or discomfort to seek medical advice as soon as possible.”

“In our experience many people with metal-on-metal hip implants expected them to last as long if not longer than more conventional implants. The failure rates for Pinnacle MoM implants are 15.59 per cent at 10 years, according to the latest National Joint Registry report from 2015, as compared to 4.47 per cent at 10 years for the Pinnacle metal on polyethylene bearing (MoP). These rates exceed the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) benchmarking for devices of this nature, which indicates that revision rates should not exceed five per cent at 10 years.” Tim Annett - Partner

Our experienced personal injury claims team will provide you with free initial advice on your compensation claim if you have suffered as the result of metal-on-hip implants. View our Metal-On-Metal Hip Implants Claims page for more information.