In addition to the DePuy hip replacement system, another hip implant is making headlines for the wrong reasons. Alleged defective Wright Profemur hip replacement systems have led to a product liability lawsuit in federal court. The Michigan plaintiff claims the hip implant failed less than three years after doctors installed it, according to aboutlawsuits.com.
The plaintiff had the hip implanted in January 2008. In November 2010, part of the implant broke and he needed another surgery to replace the implant system. His lawsuit accuses the manufacturers of defective design, negligence, fraud and breach of warranty, among other claims.
It appears other patients have experienced similar problems with the device, as lawsuits against the manufacturer are springing up across the country. All allege a portion of the implant broke causing severe pain and requiring additional surgery.
The Wright Profemur hip implant got on the market through the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 510(k) approval process. Under the 510(k) program, the Wright Medical Group was able to begin marketing the hip implant system without going through strict testing of the device. The reason is that the device was substantially similar to another device already on the market.
Medical experts have criticized the FDA’s 510(k) program as unsafe and irresponsible. Critics say that today’s medical devices are too complicated to bypass clinical trials and go straight to market.
Colson Hicks Eidson – Florida injury lawyers
