Last August, DePuy Orthopaedics issued a recall for its ASR hip replacement system at the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). DePuy's own studies indicated that the device was prematurely failing in about one out of every eight patients in whom the device was used for hip replacement surgery. Now DePuy, which is one of the world's largest manufacturers of medical devices, is facing public scrutiny for its failure to make its product safe prior to marketing it to the public.

The ASR is not the only DePuy product that has been the subject of recent concerns. The FDA has reportedly received over 500 complaints regarding the Pinnacle hip replacement system as well, mostly involving loosening of the joint, typically resulting in severe pain in making the slightest movement. Although the FDA has not recommended a recall as of yet, it will likely be following the Pinnacle situation closely given the fallout from the failure of the ASR system.

There is allegedly another potential issue with the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system, which utilizes a metal lining inside the cup part of the joint rather than the plastic lining that is typically used. Recent studies have indicated that such metal-on-metal systems can carry the risk of causing metal toxicity in recipients of such devices because as the metal components rub together, particles can flake off and enter the bloodstream of the patient. As metal levels rise in the patient's body, she may experience disorientation or suffer from a general malaise.

There have already been several DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits filed by people who have allegedly suffered harm from the product. One such plaintiff has initiated the process of multidistrict litigation (MDL) by petitioning the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. MDL is a procedure that allows for the consolidation of pretrial discovery between several cases that involve an identical claim against a particular defendant into one action.

If you have suffered loosening, pain, or required revision surgery on your Pinnacle hip replacement system, you could be entitled to remuneration from DePuy. It is important, however, that you first speak to a legal professional that can help you navigate your claim. Product liability lawyers who collectively have over two decades of experience helping people who have been harmed by the negligence of a big company like DePuy can help.