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Metal Corrosion of Femoral Stems in DePuy Hip Implants and Other Concerns
In a peer reviewed article, copyrighted in 1998 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, incorporated and funded by among others, Zimmer and DePuy, it was apparent that DePuy and Zimmer were aware that there were increased concentrations of metal in association with metal implants. Corrosion of orthopaedic implants was a serious clinical concern. Although the freely corroding implant materials used in the past had been replaced with modern corrosion-resistant superalloys, deleterious corrosion processes have been observed in certain clinical settings.
According to the New York Times, many artificial joints, including the products created by Zimmer and DePuy, do not have to be tested in patients or cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order for them to be placed on the market. With baby boomers making up a large population and slowly entering into the later years of their lives, many individuals are facing hip replacement surgery, which makes it more important than ever that hip implant systems are properly designed for efficiency and quality.
Hip implant failure presents many challenges for a person. Not only does a patient have to undergo corrective surgery to replace the implant, he or she must cope with paying medical bills, pain and suffering, physical therapy, and other challenges.
A hip replacement failure attorney in Santa Barbara at the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand can inform patients who have experienced DePuy and Zimmer hip implant failure of their legal rights and options. Our lawyers have years of experience handling serious personal injury and product liability cases. To learn more about how we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve, call (805) 962-2022 for a free consultation.
DePuy ASR Hip Implant Patients Entitled to Immediate Reimbursement for Recall-related Expenses
The month of August in 2010 brought bad news for patients who had hip replacement surgery and received a DePuy Orthopaedics hip implant system. After receiving new data from the National Joint Registry (NJR) of England and Wales revealing that the five year revision rate for the ASR Hip Resurfacing System is about 12 percent and about 13 percent for the ASR XL Acetabular System, DePuy announced a recall of the defective hip implant systems.
Once DePuy receives confirmation that a patient has received an ASR hip implant, recall-related expenses can be documented and submitted for reimbursement. DePuy will address medical costs directly associated with the recall of the ASR Hip System. These costs relate to recall-related patient out-of-pocket expenses, such as co-pays, deductable expenses, lost wages and travel costs, related to revision surgeries. DePuy will cover expenses for testing and treatment. Although this seems simple enough, it is important for patients to ensure that their rights are protected during the process of obtaining full and just compensation from DePuy.
At the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand, our dedicated Santa Barbara DePuy hip implant failure lawyers are dedicated to obtaining maximum compensation for each patient harmed by DePuy’s negligent hip implant testing and manufacturing. If you have suffered as the result of the DePuy implant in California, contact us today for a free consultation. Call (805) 962-2022.
DePuy Orthopaedics ASR Hip Implant Failure Statistics Prompts Recall
One of the most common ailments, especially for older adults, is arthritis, and one of the most commonly replaced joints is the hip. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, about 750,000 patients with advanced painful arthritis have a total hip replacement annually in the U.S. These patients trust that the surgery will improve their quality of life and restore mobility. Unfortunately, this is not the case with DePuy ASR hip implants.
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, introduced the ASR XL Acetabular hip implant system in the U.S. in 2005. It sported an innovative metal-on-metal design, as opposed to the traditional metal ball inserted into a plastic cup of its predecessors. The ASR was constructed, not by developing a whole new product, but by retrofitting a metal alloy cup from the ASR Hip Resurfacing System onto a standard hip implant. DePuy did not conduct clinical trials for the ASR.
In 2010, after the DePuy artificial hip system had already been implanted in about 100,000 Americans, the National Joint Registry (NJR) of England and Wales released data showing a high rate of replacement, or revision, for the ASR. The data revealed a five-year revision rate of an estimated 13 percent for the ASR XL Acetabular System and 12 percent for the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, although the later was not used in the U.S. Additional reports concluded that 21 percent of DePuy ASR hip systems had to be replaced by four years. This jumps to 49 percent by six years. With this information, DePuy recalled the ASR XL artificial hip implants on August 24, 2010.
Hip replacement surgery is not a simple process; it is an invasive operation which requires months of recovery and rehabilitation. If the hip implant fails, the patient’s subjected to a hip revision surgery. Even if the hip implant does not completely fail, it could cause serious complications such as heavy metal poisoning and tumors around the implant. In any case, it is likely that the patient would experience increased pain and discomfort.
At the Law Offices of Renee J. Nordstrand, our dedicated Santa Barbara DePuy hip implant failure lawyers are dedicated to obtaining maximum compensation for each patient harmed by DePuy’s negligent hip implant testing and manufacturing. If you have suffered as the result of the DePuy implant in California, contact us today free consultation. Call (805) 962-2022.
Santa Barbara Man Struck and Killed by Motorist
http://www.independent.com/news/2010/may/17/homeless-man-killed-traffic-accident/?print
A Santa Barbara man was struck by a car and killed on Saturday evening, the Santa Barbara Independent reports. The accident occurred at State and Islay Streets around 8:30 pm. The victim, who was homeless and whose identity has yet to be released, was crossing the intersection of State and Islay Streets as Javier Castillo, 23, proceeded northbound on State Street in a 2004 Mazda RX-8. Castillo told investigators he believed the man was going to make it across the intersection on foot before he reached it by vehicle; however, he miscalculated and struck the victim.
The victim sustained a broken leg and chest wounds before passing away from his injuries at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
According to police, witnesses have substantiated Castillo’s account of how the incident occurred, and to date no criminal charges have been filed against him. The investigation is still ongoing, however, and any witnesses to the accident should contact Officer Mark Hunt at (805) 897-3719.
If you’ve been forced to cope with sudden loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, we at the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand understand your concerns and want to help. Our resources, experience, and depth of legal knowledge consistently result in successful settlements for families who have experienced tremendous loss. Contact Los Angeles and Santa Barbara wrongful death attorneys today for a free consultation.
Lawsuit Filed Against LAPD Following Deadly Crash
The parents of Devin Leigh Petelski, who was killed following a car crash with a Los Angeles Police Department Patrol car on October 15, 2009, have filed a lawsuit against the police department, the LA Times reports.
Petelski, who was 25 at the time of the incident and working as a substance abuse counselor, had entered the intersection of Venice Boulevard and Glyndon Avenue when a patrol car, driven by LAPD officers Ramon Vasquez and James Eldridge on Venice Boulevard, struck Petelski’s vehicle. The accident spun the police car, which slammed into a tree and traffic sign. Petelski was hospitalized and died two days after the accident from her injuries.
The Petelski’s lawsuit alleges negligence, citing that the patrol car was driving above the posted speed limit of forty miles per hour and that the officers were using neither lights nor sirens to warn other motorists as they sped. According to LAPD Commander Stuart Maislin, the police department had recently implemented a policy before the crash that required all officers to use both lights and sirens when exceeding the speed limit in response to an emergency. Vasquez and Eldridge were responding to a burglary call, however they had not told dispatchers that they were responding to the call, and there was another unit that had already been dispatched to respond.
If you have lost a loved one in an a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, please contact experienced and compassionated wrongful death attorneys who will fight for your legal rights during your time of need. At the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, we offer free consultations and you won’t pay legal fees until we successfully settle your case.
Dana Point Girl In Critical Condition Following Hit and Run Incident
http://www.ocregister.com/news/girl-248396-year-old.html
Seven-year-old Tabatha Cope remains in critical condition today after she was struck by a hit and run driver while skateboarding with friends on Monday evening, the Orange County Register reports.
Tabatha, of Dana Point, was playing in a group of fifteen to twenty children on Silver Lantern Street and La Paz Avenue at approximately 6:30 pm on Monday, when she was struck by a light-colored raised pick up truck. The truck’s driver did not stop following the collision and has not contacted authorities.
Tabatha sustained serious injuries in the incident, including a broken collarbone, broken ribs, the loss of most of her teeth, and a lacerated liver. Tabatha’s father, Joseph Cope, urged the hit and run driver to come forward.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with this Tabatha as she recovers from her injuries.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit and run driver, please contact experienced accident attorneys today to learn about your legal rights to monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and future care and treatment. At the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, you pay no attorney fees until we win your case.
Motorcyclist in Critical Condition Following Crash
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/may/09/simi-valley-man-critically-injured-in-motorcycle/?print=1
Bill Williams, of Simi Valley sustained serious injuries in a motorcycle crash on Sunday, the Ventura County Start reports. Williams, age 35, was operating an off-road motorcycle on the 2500 block of Angela Street when he collided with a parked car and injured his head, leg, and arm.
Witnesses state that Williams was attempting a wheel stand when the accident occurred. He was not wearing a helmet.
According to the NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2008, “5,290 motorcyclists were killed—an increase of 2 percent over the 5,174 motorcyclists killed in 2007. There were 96,000 motorcyclists injured during 2008”. Further, “NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,829 motorcyclists’ lives in 2008, and that 823 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.” These staggering statistics substantiate the need for helmets to protect motorcyclists during accidents.
May 2010 is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and we at the Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand urge both motorcyclists and vehicle drivers to be aware of motorcycle safety during this time. For example, motorcyclists may benefit from taking rider-training programs dedicated to lowering crash rates. Vehicle drivers and the general public can prepare for the summer months where the number of motorcycle riders will increase on busy highways and roads, necessitating an attitude of all drivers and riders to be willing to share the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact experienced motorcycle attorneys today for a free consultation.
Garden Grove Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Car
http://www.ocregister.com/news/hit-247500-street-car.html
A man was killed Wednesday afternoon following a pedestrian to car accident on Ward Street in Garden Grove, the Orange County Register reports.
According to the article, the pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk at approximately 4 pm when a car traveling northbound on Ward Street failed to stop at the cross walk and struck the unidentified pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident.
Police state that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in causing the accident, however, gave few additional details as to how the incident occurred.
If you have been the victim in a pedestrian to car accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for lost earnings, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Contact skilled personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation and to learn how Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand will fight for your legal rights.
Los Angeles Police Office Seeks to Crack Down on Distracted Drivers’ Destruction
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-lopezcolumn-20100503,0,4276097,full.column
Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez teamed up with Los Angeles Police Officer Kamaron Sardar this week on a mission to catch distracted drivers. Lopez’s editorial, which appeared in the Times on Monday, highlighted four of the many citations issued during his traffic observation with Sardar at Hillhurst Avenue in Los Feliz.
According to Lopez, it took only five minutes for the duo to spot their first distracted driver, who was talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device. Sardar went on to write four citations within a one-hour time period.
According to distraction.gov, a US Department of Transportation website, there are three primary types of distracted driving: Visual (taking one’s eyes off the road), Manual (taking one’s hands of the wheel), and Cognitive (taking one’s mind off of what one is doing). Distracted driving activities include talking or texting on a cell phone, eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, reading maps, changing the radio station, or using a navigational device. According to the website, there were nearly 6,000 deaths in accidents related to distracted driving in 2008, with an additional 515,000 injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident due to a distracted driver’s negligence, please contact experienced and aggressive personal injury attorneys today to learn about your legal options. At Law Office of Renee J. Nordstrand, we offer free consultations and no fees until we win your case.
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Man Struck and Killed by Train in San Diego
http://www.latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/04/a-coaster-commuter-train-struck
The Los Angeles Times reports today that a man died Tuesday night after being struck by a train in the 1600 block of Coast Boulevard in Del Mar. The victim, whose name was not disclosed, was from the state of Washington and had been dog sitting in Del Mar.
According to the train’s engineer, the man continued to walk slowly across the train tracks even after he had sounded the horn. Although the engineer applied the brakes, the train, which extended four feet beyond the tracks on either side, clipped the man after he made it across the tracks.
At the Law Office of Renée J. Nordstrand, we work aggressively to find answers and to recover maximum compensation for clients injured in train accidents. We understand that an accident can disrupt the lives of the injured and all those involved. Although we can’t undo the pain and suffering caused by an accident, we can work towards easing the financial burden associated with it.
Contact experienced train accident attorneys today for a free consultation.