Did Poor Clinical Testing Lead to Stryker Hip Implant Defects?

Jul 26,2018

Stryker femoral head hip implant devices have been the subject of hundreds of lawsuits and nationwide recalls. The devices are prone to corroding and producing metal debris, which can cause a variety of complications, including pain, dislocations, fractures and more. A lawsuit recently filed against the manufacturer Howmedica Osteonics Corp. alleges that poor clinical testing is to blame for the defective devices, which caused the plaintiff to have to undergo revision surgery. He is suing Howmedica for medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The plaintiff had the Stryker LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 Femoral Head implanted in 2011. Then in 2016, the plaintiff underwent further surgery to have the device explanted. The lawsuit accuses Howmedica of negligence, design defect, failure to warn, breach of warranties and violation of consumer protection laws. It states that the company should have properly tested the product before releasing it.

Were Clinical Studies Done on Stryker Femoral Heads?

The device in question, the LFIT V40 femoral head, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through the 501(k) process. This approval process allows medical devices to be approved without full clinical studies, if the manufacturer can prove they are similar to a device that has already received FDA approval. It is a popular process because it allows companies to bring their products to market more quickly. The problem, of course, is that lack of testing can result in defective devices being approved.

“Expediting approvals to get products on the market without proper testing can pose a serious risk to consumers,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured by a defective product and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.