Weintraub Law is representing clients who have been implanted with the M/L Taper Hip Prosthesis from Zimmer Biomet in lawsuits alleging that the manufacturer failed to warn them of dangerous risks associated with the device.

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Zimmer M/L Taper Recall

Zimmer Biomet, the device manufacturers, initiated a voluntary recall of 64 lots (752 implants total) of M/L Taper with Kinective femoral stems and modular necks after reports of dangerously high cytotoxicity levels found in the product. The recall was designated a class 1 recall and was instated on June 8, 2015.

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Class 1 recalls are the most serious type of recall, involving situations in which there is a reasonable probability that using the product can result in serious adverse health consequences or death.

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Zimmer Biomet sent an Urgent Medical Device Recall letter dated May 18, 2015 to its customers. Surgeons and hospitals who implanted the device were also notified of the recall. The recall letter included a description of the reason for the recall, affected product, and instructions for responding to the formal recall notification.

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Ongoing Lawsuits Against The Manufacturer of the Zimmer M/L Taper

Lawsuits against Zimmer Biomet fall into a category known as defective medical device litigation, which allege any of the following:

Failure to Warn: typically involves a product with dangers that are not obvious to the user that requires special precautions when using it.
Manufacturer Defects: involve a product that was defectively manufactured and flawed due to an error in making it.

Design Defects: involve a design that is inherently dangerous or defective.
In the first Zimmer hip replacement lawsuit to go to trial, a patient suffered from metallosis. A New Mexico judge awarded more than $2 million to the victim. The judge ruled that the risks associated with the device were unacceptable, as they posed a real threat to patients who had entrusted Zimmer Biomet with their health.

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“It is never appropriate to design a hip implant system that would create an unreasonable risk of injury to the health or safety of a patient.” – Judge Nash

The court awarded the 70-year-old Albuquerque resident $2.027 million for lost enjoyment, earnings, future medical expenses and related claims.

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Complications

The two main causes behind the device’s dangerous side effects are:

 

• Toxic Materials Leading to Dangerous Cytotoxicity Levels

  • The device contains higher than allowed cytotoxicity levels (materials that are toxic to human cells). According to the FDA, this is residue from part of a manufacturing process.

  • The level of metal toxicity is so high, there is a reasonable probability that patients will have an adverse biological response and require revision surgery.

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• Metal on Metal (MoM) Design Leading to Metallosis

  • The metal material the artificial hips are made from cobalt and chromium. As these materials rub against each other, they have been shown to release metal shavings into surrounding joint tissue and eventually into the bloodstream. This is known as metallosis, a form of blood poisoning.

  • These metal particles can cause bone and tissue damage over time. Signs of soft tissue damage may include pain, implant loosening, device failure and the need for revision surgery.

If you are a hip implant recipient and think you may be affected but are not sure, call (504) 656-6280 today to speak with one of our defective medical device attorneys and learn if you qualify for compensation. We are happy to answer your questions free of charge.

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Filing a Lawsuit

As a national firm experienced in representing clients injured by defective devices, Weintraub Law is prepared to file appropriate lawsuits on behalf of patients who have received Zimmer M/L Taper and M/L Taper with Kinectiv devices.

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