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Hip Implant Lawyers

Broken hips do not kill. Most patients have surgery to have the bone pinned together.

What does kill?

Blood clots
Defective hip implant products
Infections acquired during a patient's stay in the hospital
Medical negligence or malpractice
Nursing home abuse or negligence
Pneumonia

Known medically as fractured neck of femur, hip breaks are common among those over 65 years of age. Over 60,000 people suffer from a broken hip every year. Because of the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis, statistics show that three times more women will be affected than men in a single year.

Quality medical care for broken hips includes:

Prompt treatment (less than one hour in casualty)
Administration of antibiotics and clot-busters
Appropriate surgery within 24 hours
Rapid mobilization after the operation
Avoidance of bed sores, urinary tract infections and pneumonia
Good co-ordination between all those involved in treatment and care, both in hospital and after discharge.

Fatality rates vary from 3 to 4 percent in the best hospitals to more than 15 per cent in the worst hospitals.

Scientists have found that people who grow slowly in childhood run a greater risk of hip fracture as adults. (Professor Cyrus Cooper, Medical Research Council's Environmental Epidemiology Unit at Southampton University) Hip fractures are more likely in those individuals whose rate of childhood height gain fell into the bottom quarter. Professor Cooper says, "It seems likely that environmental influences which modify growth are responsible." Certain studies also indicate that Vitamin A increases your risk of a broken hip.

On December 8, 2000, Sulzer Orthopedics, Inc. announced the recall of 40,000 of its Inter-Op� acetabular shell for hip implants because of a mistake made during manufacturing. Mineral oil used as machining oil has apparently inhibited the implant from properly bonding with the pelvis. Patients often experience extreme pain and a lack of mobility, requiring additional surgery. Over 2,780 Sulzer hip recipients have had to undergo this "revision surgery�. It has been estimated that a possible 50% of the remaining Sulzer hip implants will actually fail in time. Concerns have also been raised about the possibility of the machining oil leading to infections.

There have been reports of problems with Sulzer hip implants that are not on Sulzer's list of recalled products.

French manufacturer St. Gobain Desmarquest has agreed to a voluntary recall of nine batches of zirconia ceramic femoral heads (the ball portion of the hip prosthesis that connects the femoral stem to the pelvis) because it was fracturing at a higher rate than expected in some patients 13 to 27 months after being surgically implanted. The ceramic components have been manufactured since 1998.

If you have had a hip replacement, you should ask your physician or surgeon the name of the manufacturer of your hip implant and the specific lot number used in your hip replacement surgery. You are entitled to this information upon request.

If you experience pain in your inner thigh or groin, pain when arising from a seated position or pain with standing and weight bearing, you should consult with your physician or orthopedic surgeon.

If you find that your hip replacement is on a product recall list, or if you are just concerned about problems with your surgery, you may want to contact a personal injury attorney who can counsel you in this complex legal situation. Your situation must be evaluated carefully in order to protect your rights fully. Several areas of personal injury law may apply to your case, such as:

Civil Litigation: Your hip injury may have been caused by an assault, battery or a reckless negligence in the maintenance of property. Many elderly people sustain hip injury due to slips and falls. A slip and fall may occur because of a slippery surface, improper or defective flooring, objects that extend into the walking area, poor lighting, or uneven walking surfaces. Automobile wrecks and other accidents are another cause of many hip breaks. Your attorney will advise you as to the proper legal course of action that would allow you to recover monetary damages due to you.

Product Liability: Your hip implant surgery may have been done properly by your surgeon, but the product itself may be faulty or defective. If so, you may be experiencing pain or infection and facing the trauma of yet another surgical replacement. Your attorney can evaluate your legal rights and advise you of possible compensation based on products liability laws.

Professional Malpractice: Medical malpractice or negligence, leading to delay in treatment or incorrect treatment can be especially lethal in the instance of a broken hip. Blood clots are a frequent and possibly fatal complication with improper treatment or delay in proper treatment. Nursing home abuse and / or negligence may be responsible for the damage of a broken hip or for delay in treatment of a broken hip. Your lawyer can protect your rights and represent your interests.

Workers Compensation: Your hip injury may have been job-related or have happened on the job. Additional benefits for dependents are also provided under these laws.

Wrongful death: If a family member may died from complications after the treatment of a broken hip, you should seek legal counsel. It is important to do so before the statute of limitations becomes an issue.

Prior to accepting an insurance settlement, it is generally wise to speak with a personal injury lawyer knowledgeable in laws specifically concerning hip breaks and / or implants so that your situation can be evaluated and your interests protected. Most personal injury attorneys provide free initial consultations and most will only be paid if you win your case and receive a judgment. Most frequently, personal injury attorneys will receive a percentage of the settlement awarded to you. Legal advice can save you time, trouble and money and, most importantly, can insure that you are treated fairly.

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