Number of Hip Replacement Complaints to FDA Alarms But Doesn't Surprise Legal Community

    NEW YORK, NY, June 26, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Rottenstein Law Group, which represents clients with claims stemming from the failure of defective hip replacement devices manufactured and sold by various companies, was not surprised by the large number of complaints about metal-on-metal hip implants received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2000 to 2011, but the firm is nonetheless alarmed.

According to a recent Bloomberg report, between 2000 and 2011, patients who received all-metal hip implants filed nearly 16,800 complaints, or, "adverse event reports," with the FDA.

"The reports almost quadrupled to 682 in 2008 from the year earlier, and rose again after [DePuy,] a unit of Johnson & Johnson began recalling hip devices in 2010," according to the Bloomberg article, which cited a report posted on the FDA's web site. "Adverse event reports in 2011 totaled 12,137 for the metal-on-metal devices, compared with 6,332 associated with other types of hip implants, according to the FDA document."

The FDA previously announced its intention to ask an advisory panel of experts to take a closer look at all-metal hip implants late this month. "Though the FDA metal hip implant investigation is nothing new," reported Reuters in April, "it signals that the agency may be ready to subject the devices to stricter scrutiny."

After the August 2010 hip replacement recall of 93,000 DePuy XL Acetabular all-metal devices, the FDA ordered manufacturers to collect more post-implant safety data. Since then, the FDA has been investigating the safety of metal-on-metal hip implants and trying to decide if they should undergo more rigorous testing and premarket review. "Evidence suggests that such review may be necessary. A recent study from the National Joint Registry of England and Wales found that 6% of people with the implants needed additional surgery," reported Reuters. "This is high when compared to the 1.7 to 2.4% rate found in individuals with ceramic or plastic hips."

Rochelle Rottenstein, principal of the Rottenstein Law Group, says, "We implore anyone with a friend or relative who has received a dangerous medical device to reach out to that person and recommend that he or she consult a physician immediately and then speak to a qualified personal injury lawyer."

The Rottenstein Law Group lawyers have a total of more than 25 years of experience fighting for the rights of clients who have suffered harm due to the negligence of powerful corporations. Affected individuals can also stay apprised of the latest developments in the hip replacement recall situation by visiting the DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Lawsuit Information Center at www.depuyhipreplacementlawsuit.com. The site is equipped with easy-to-use social media features which will enable users to spread the word about hip replacement device failures.

About the Rottenstein Law Group
The Rottenstein Law Group is a New York-based law firm that represents clients in mass tort actions. The firm was founded by Rochelle Rottenstein, a lawyer with over two decades of experience in compassionate representation of clients in consumer product injury, mass tort, and class action law suits. For more information, please visit their Web site at www.rotlaw.com, or call (888) 9-ROT-LAW.

# # #