Are all DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants Defective?

Recently, we have been asked if ALL DePuy hip implants are defective. Currently, there is no real answer because it is simply too soon to interperet the data on these defective DePuy hip implants.

new jersey philadelphia depuy orthopaedics lawyers implants recalled What is known is that the recall affects the ASR XL Acetabular System, which is used for total hip replacements, as well as the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, which is used in a newer kind of procedure involving bone conservation.
The ASR Hip Resurfacing System has not yet been approved in the United States, but according to Johnson & Johnson, some patients may have gotten these implants through a clinical trial when the company was seeking FDA approval for the hip implants.

Therefore, one of the first things a patient needs to determine is whether or not they have a total DePuy Orthopaedics hip replacement system, or the DePuy ASR hip resurfacing system. A combined total of about 93,000 of the total hip replacement system devices have been implanted worldwide. Presently, the data shows that only 1 in about 8 of these hip replacements have caused patients symptoms, and have required correction.
However, since the symptoms of a defective hip implant may mimic other symptoms, many patients do not yet know whether or not their implant is defective. Many patients are insisting that they get corrective surgery now, before these defective implants cause signs and symptoms, to prevent future problems such as microscopic metal particles in the bloodstream.

So, while the data does not suggest that all DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants are defective, it simply is too soon to come to a final conclusion about the number of patients who will have symptoms related to these defective implants.

NJ and PA DePuy Orthopaedics Defective Hip Implant Attorneys

If you have any concerns regarding a DePuy Orthopaedics implant, you should contact your orthopaedic surgeon or family doctor.
If you want to know what your rights are regarding these recalled hip implants, contact the Mininno Law Office. Our NJ and PA DePuy Hip Implant Recall Lawyers are prepared to answer your questions and earn you any and all compensation that you deserve. You may call the Mininno Law Office for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

DePuy Hip Replacement Recall: Is a New Hip Worth the Risk?

depuy orthopaedics Recall Attorneys hip implant replacement New Jersey Philadelphia With the recent news about the DePuy Orthopaedics hip replacement recalls, many people are asking, “Is a hip replacement worth the risk?” Each year there are nearly ¼ of a million hip replacement surgeries performed. Many hospitals and surgeons boast of how simple, safe, and effective hip replacement surgeries are. Afterall, a hip replacement surgery only takes about 1-3 hours and, many times, patients are up and about and returning to work as early as one week after surgery.

However, the decision to have a hip replacement should be one that is made only as a last resort.

When is it Time for a Hip Replacement?

Prior to a hip replacement, you should get at lease 2 opinions from 2 different orthopaedists who have reviewed your x-rays, performed physical examinations to evaluate your condition, and who know how your hip problems are interfering with your activities or quality of life. Mild pain or symptoms that make things a little more difficult should not be sufficient reasons to schedule a hip replacement surgery. For most patients, a hip replacement surgery should only be considered if they have been having signifcant pain for at least 4 years before their surgery.
In additon, the hip should be replaced only if there is severe joint stiffness after exertion, and a significant reduction of the range of motion in the hip joint. Hip replacement surgery is major surgery which carries with it all of the risks associated with surgery (e.g., infection, surgical errors, worsening of the condition, hardware failure, anesthesia risks, and even wrongful death).

Not only that, but you will forever set off the metal detectors at airport security screenings!

If those risks and consequences were not enough, the recent recall of DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants should give all potential hip replacement patients reason to think twice before agreeing to this procedure.

DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implant Recall Attorneys

At the Mininno Law Office, we work to gain recoveries for those who have been wronged. If you are the recipient of a DePuy Hip Implant, you may be eligable for compensation. If you have recently undergone a hip replacement, contact your orthopaedic surgeon immediately to find out if your implant was manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics.
If so, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implant Recalled Due to Metal on Metal Complications

The recent DePuy Orthapaedics Hip Implant recall should not come as any surprise to most people. Within the last several years, DePuy hip implants, employing a metal on metal function, were used in about 90,000 hip replacements performed in the United States.

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DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implant Complications

DePuy hip implants mimic our traditional bone structure by creating a ball and socket joint out of metal; specifically, chromium and cobalt. DePuy Orthopaedics hip implant manufacturers believed the elements would be stronger and last longer than conventional hip implant materials.
The problems with the hip implants arise from friction in between the head at the top of the thigh bone and the cup which is placed into the hip socket. These two metals rub together and ultimately cause wear and tear on the materials. Friction on a car tire, results in rubber particles being slowly dispersed on our roadyways. Friction on a metal implant results in metal particles being dispersed inside a human body. These particles and metallic debris can cause signifcant damage to tissue and bone surrounding the hip joint.

Some of these particles even enter the blood stream and can become lodged in other parts of the body. Such patients will have high metal content in their blood streams which can be diagnosed using standard radiological studies that will show the metal dispersed throughout the body.
Unfortunately, orthopaedic surgeons using DePuy hip implants were not alerted of these complications until recently. In the meantime, it appears that nearly 95,000 of these defective hip implants could be in the population today.

NJ and PA DePuy Hip Implant Recall Attorneys

If you have a DePuy Orthopaedics hip implant, do not wait until you are experiencing signs or symptoms of metallic debris in your body. You should immediately consult with your family doctor and orthopaedic surgeon to get properly tested and continue to be tested for any problems associated with this defective implant.
If you wish to know your legal rights, please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Defective DePuy Hip Implants: Signs and Symptoms

DePuy Orthopaedics has recently recalled it’s defective ASR Hip Implant System, however, not every DePuy hip implant has failed. If you are a recipient of the DePuy hip replacement, you should look for any of the following signs and symptoms:

Hip Pain (with or without activity) – All patients who have had hip replacement surgery will experience some pain at first. However, the symptoms are supposed to improve and, eventually, go away. If your symptoms have gone away and have now returned, or never did go away at all, it may be a sign of a defective hip implant.
Hip Swelling – Swelling is normal in the immediate post operative period following a hip replacement. However, if you have a new onset of hip swelling following a DePuy hip implant, this may be another sign that the metal components are wearing out and causing the swelling.
Problems Walking – Finally, some patients who have been discovered to have received defective hip replacements complain of problems walking. This problem is usually caused by the body’s reactions to the metallic particles which have worn away from the DePuy hip implant. This may be one of the most serious signs or symptoms, because this could mean that the metal particles have caused damage to the muscles, tissue, bones, and nerves surrounding the hip joint.

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Depuy Recall Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office

If you are experiencing any of the above signs or symptoms, please contact the Mininno Law Office for more information and a free case evaluation.
In fact, even if you have not yet experienced the symptoms and want more information about what you should do if you have a DePuy hip replacement, call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Defective Product Recall: Over Two Million Nissans

new jersey philadelphia defective products attorneys nissan recall over two million vehicles Nissan has pro-actively recalled more than two million cars and trucks worldwide for what they have described as an “ignition problem.” The Japanese automobile manufacturer explains that an ignition part, called a relay, could potentially malfunction which would cause a vehicle to stall. The issue can be fixed in less than an hour by simply reprogramming the vehicle.

Defective Products: Nissans being recalled include any 2003 through 2006 model of the Nissan Titan, Armada, Frontier, Xterra, and infiniti QX56. Smaller models liked the March, Micra, Cube, and Note are also included. Most of the recalls are happening in Japan, with 825,000 units. The United States and Canada have a combined 726,000. Countries in Europe and Asia account for the numbers as well.

Fortunately, no accidents resulting from the ignition malfunction have been reported. Nissan is taking preventative steps by issuing this recall. Drivers who may be unsure about their model can drive into their Nissan dealership to see if theirs is on the list of recalled vehicles.

Defective Product Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Nissan has done what so many companies fail to do. It recognized a problem and acted swiftly to solve it. Many times, companies will knowingly sell a product that is dangerous and defective, and not think twice. Nissan may have saved lives by issuing this recall.
If you or a loved one have been affected by a Defective Product of any kind, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Let the NJ and PA defective product attorneys at the Mininno Law Office work hard to get you the compensation that you deserve.

Defective Product Sales Cost GlaxoSmithKline $750 Million

new jersey philadelphia defective products attorneys glaxosmithkline medicines tagamet avandia corteg An article published by the New York Times speaks of the $750 million settlement the British drug company GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to pay to end a number of civil and criminal complaints regarding knowingly defective medicines they put on store shelves for years. Such defective products include contaminated diaper cream, and an inaffective antidepressant. Twenty other medicines were sold with “questionable safety,” including the diabetes drug Avandia, the heart drug Corteg, and the acid reflux drug Tagamet.

The article goes on to say:

“[New lawsuits] have asserted that drug makers misled patients and defrauded federal and state governments that, through Medicare and Medicaid, pay for much of health care. Using claims from industry insiders, federal prosecutors are not only demanding record fines but are hinting at more severe actions”

Fortunately, no patients were known to be sickened by the defective medicines, however, that does not mean that none were. The cases would be very difficult to trace. Glaxo’s offenses were exposed when former quality assurance manager Cheryl Eckerd came forward with knowledge of the company’s wrongdoings. Thanks to laws that encourage this “whistleblowing,” Eckerd could receive as much as $96 million dollars from the federal portion of the settlement.

NJ and PA Defective Products Attorneys

Glaxo wronged millions upon millions of consumers by knowingly putting defective and potentially dangerous products on the market. Unfortunately, they are not the only company to indulge in this kind of business practice.
If you or a loved one have been affected by a defective product of any kind, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Our New Jersey and Pennsylvania defective product attorneys are prepared to work for you and get you the compensation you are owed.

New Legislation Will Finally Hold Foreign Manufacturers Accountable

new jersey philadelphia defective products attorneys liability taishan gypsum foreign manufacturers There are currently no laws in place protecting the rights of consumers agaisnt foreign manufacturers. Foreign companies are free to manufacture defective and dangerous products, sell them in America, and suffer no consequences for their actions. But the House Energy and Commerce Committee has recently approved legislation that will finally allow the U.S. to hold foreign manufacturers accountable.
The legislation, called the Foreign Manufacturers Accountability Act, will require that foreign companies have “agents” in at least one state in the U.S. in which the company does business that will accept service of process for civil or regulatory claims. That agent will serve as a sort of liason between foreign corporations and U.S. regulators.

The approval of this legislation is a huge step for product safety in America. As of now, companies like Taishan Gypsum, a Chinese manufacturer of drywall, could produce defective products, sell them in bulk in America, and turn around and never look back. Taishan Gypsum was recently sued by homeowners from the southern United States for drywall that was emitting sulfuric acid. The emissions caused such damage that affected homes had to be demolished and re-erected.
The health implications have not even been addressed yet. Unfortunately, the ruling made against Taishan Gypsum, in the amount of 2.6 million dollars, doesn’t even matter. They are not legally bound to pay that money, nor were they legally responsible to even respond to the suit. Taishan Gypsum was 100% absent during proceedings.

NJ and PA Defective Product Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office

The approval of this legislation will make it much easier to hold foreign manufactures liable for their defective products, and will make consumers affected by defective, foreign products able to receive their due compensation.

If you or a loved one have been negatively affected by a defective product, regardless of where it was made, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free consultation. Our New Jersey and Philadelphia Defective Product Attorneys will work to get you the compensation you deserve.
You can also call at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Products Liability at McDonald’s

products liability defective products new jersey philadelphia attorney We’ve all heard about Liebeck v. McDonald’s, more commonly known as the “McDonald’s Coffee Case” of 1994. It was a products liability case that became, as ABC News called it, the “poster child of excessive lawsuits.” It’s easy, without knowing the facts of the case, to scoff at someone who would sue for being burnt by hot coffee.
Coffee is coffee, it’s supposed to be hot! But, is it supposed to be hot enough to cause third degree burns?

Stella Liebeck was 79 when she was in the passenger seat of her Ford Probe, as her grandson drove her through the drive thru of a Mcdonald’s Fast Food Restaurant in New Mexico. He pulled the car over so that Stella could add cream and sugar to her coffee. Stella put the cup between her knees and lifted the lid slightly. At that point, she spilled the entire cup of coffee on her lap. Her cotton sweatpants absorbed the coffee, holding it to her skin for over a minute and a half.
The coffee scalded her thighs, buttocks, and groin. At the hospital, it was determined that she had sustained third degree burns on 6% of her skin, and lesser burns on 16% of her skin. She remained in the hospital for 8 days and underwent skin grafting. In that time she lost 20% of her body weight, reducing her weight to 83 pounds, and causing an additional 2 years of treatment.

Liebeck sought to settle for $20,000 to cover her medical bills, which amounted to $11,000. McDonald’s offered $800. After McDonald’s refused her offer, Liebeck retained attorney Morgan Reed, who brought a case against McDonald’s, accusing them of “gross negligence” in making a product that was “unreasonably dangerous” and “defectively manufactured.”
Reed made a settlement offer of $90,000, which McDonald’s rejected. He made another offer of $300,000, followed by a mediator suggested offer of $225,000. McDonald’s rejected both of them, and the case went to trial.

In trial, Reed exposed that McDonald’s was serving coffee at temperatures of 180-190 degrees Farenheight. At this temperature, the coffee could cause third degree burns in 2-7 seconds. Reed also revealed during litigation that between 1982 and 1992, McDonald’s received over 700 reports of people being burned by coffee, and had settled claims for scalding injuries for over $500,000.
In the end, Liebeck was awarded just under $600,000 in punitive and compensatory damages.

Tort Reformists call this a “frivolous” lawsuit, and claim that it’s cases like this that are stressing the economy. But a case like this is far from frivolous. McDonald’s was serving coffee that had the potential to truly harm their customers. As we can see, it did. No labeled warning can replace a manufacturer’s responsibility to keep consumer safety a number one priority.

Product Liability Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office

Nowadays, we see more and more fault in our system regarding foreign manufacturers and their seeming exemption from U.S. regulations on product liability. But even native manufacturers are producing products that are defective and unsafe. Defective products are dangerous, and potentially harmful or fatal.

If you have been injured by a defective product, you may be entitle to compensation. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call us for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

CT Scans Causing Radiation Overdoses

new jersey philadelphia attorneys medical malpractice product liability ct scans radiation overdoses — CT scanners are using unnecessarily high levels of radiation in brain perfusion scans, and causing hairloss, burns, scabs, and other worse complications.

This past Sunday, The New York Times published a story on CT Scans and the damage they may be causing to patients. It seems the scanners are emitting dangerous and harmful levels of radiation when patients are getting CT brain perfusion scans, a scan often used to test for strokes. This particular test is exposing patients to radiation overdoses at levels that can cause burns, scabs, significant hair loss, cancer, or even brain damage.

Last summer, after a large number of radiation overdoses began emerging, the FDA set off an investigation into why patients were being bombarded with excess radiation. They have yet to publish findings.

The New York Times investigation found that , nationwide, upwards of 400 patients received radiation overdoses in only 8 hospitals. Six of those hospitals are located in California. A health official in California believes that more cases will undoubtedly surface once other states begin to look into the issue. The Times determined that it is relatively unclear why the overdoses are taking place.
Blame could fall on the shoulders of the technicians, who are not properly using the equipment, or the manufacturers of the equipment, who provide poor design and inadequate training. GE Healthcare, one manufacturer of the scanner, suggests to technicians higher levels of radiation for clearer images, a practice that one expert said is unjustified and potentially dangerous.

Affected By a Radiation Overdose? Contact the Mininno Law Office

Depending on what further investigation determines is the catalyst for these radiation overdoses, victims could potentially file medical malpractice or product liabilty claims.
Radiation is a dangerous technology that must be handled with extreme care. Four hundred patients in 8 hospitals suffering from excessive radiation levels is proposterous.

If you or a loved believe you are suffering from the effects of a radiation overdose, contact the Mininno Law Office. Our New Jersey medical malpractice and defective product attorneys will help in any way possible to determine if you have a case. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call us for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Let us help you get the compensation you deserve.

Defective Baby Recliner Recalled By CPSC

On Monday, July 26, 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Baby Matters, LLC of Berwyn, PA, recalled 30,000 Nap Nanny portable baby recliners. The recall comes after reports surfaced of infants being found hanging over the side of the defective recliner, still harnessed in. The device poses entrapment, suffocation, and fall hazards.The CPSC is currently investigating the report of a 4 month old baby girl in Michigan who died in a Nap Nanny that was being used in a crib. She was found hanging over the side of the recliner, even though she was harnessed in, caught between the Nap Nanny and the crib bumper. If you are looking for a new recliner then check out these popular recliner brands.

The Nap Nanny instructions do not reccommend using the product in cribs or confined spaces, or on tables or counter tops. But the harnesses do not seem to be keeping infants in place while in the Nap Nanny. This situation worsens when velcro straps located underneath the Nap Nanny cover are not properly attached to the “D” rings.

Click to see the CPSC’s full report on the defective product.

nap nanny defective products consumer safety mininno law office — The Nap Nanny poses entrapment and suffocation threats, even while infants are still harnessed in.

Have You Been Negatively Affected by a Defective Product?

If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective product, you must act quickly. A Defective Product or Product Liability Attorney in New Jersey will help determine whether or not your are entitled to compensation. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call us at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. Let the Civil Trial Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office help you.