Pryers Solicitors, one of the country’s leading specialists in cases concerning failed hip replacements, are now investigating compensation claims against Stryker, the manufacturer of the ABG II modular neck stem and DePuy, the manufacturer of the Pinnacle metal on metal hip components.
Stryker ABG II
For decades, the typical femoral stem has been a one-piece device with a tapered junction designed to fit matching femoral heads. Problems with the release of metal debris from this junction have been well documented.
However, Stryker launched the ABG II stem in 2009 which had two separate components, one for the neck and one for the stem. Surgeons could choose from a range of different neck lengths and stem sizes. This flexibility enabled surgeons to fit patients with more anatomically correct hip replacements yet introduced a further risk of the release of metal debris and the potential for failure with the second taper junction.
The ABG II stem was recalled from the market after only three years following safety concerns and Pryers Solicitors now act for a number of patients who have suffered the premature failure of their hip device.
DePuy Pinnacle
As well as bringing claims in relation to the DePuy ASR prostheses, Pryers Solicitors are investigating claims in relation to the Pinnacle device.
Whilst the DePuy ASR has the highest failure rate out of all of the metal hip replacement used in the UK, the DePuy Pinnacle also has performed very poorly. The failure rate is almost 20 per cent at nine years whereas many older designs have nine-year failure rates of two per cent or less.
The Pinnacle metal system has been withdrawn from sale and claims are now being brought against the manufacturer.
Time Limits
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, there are two separate time limits which apply to both the Stryker ABG II and DePuy Pinnacle claims. Firstly, cases must be started within three years of the date on which the patient first suspected they had suffered injury due to a defective medical product. The case must also be started within ten years of the supply of the product by the manufacturer to the hospital, regardless of when the patient received it or when it failed. If the claim is not started within this time limit, then the case will be out of time.
If you have been fitted with a Stryker ABG II stem or with a DePuy Pinnacle prosthesis, whether it is failing or not, please feel free to contact us.
