Smith & Nephew About Manufacturer - d'Oliveira & Associates, P.C.
The side effects of Smith & Nephew’s hip and knee replacement systems are infections, fractures, and dislocations requiring corrective surgery. Our law firm is working with some of the leading Smith & Nephew’s Hip and Knee replacement attorneys in the United States. A claim and/or Smith & Nephew lawsuit can be filed on your behalf and there is no fee until you receive an award or a Smith & Nephew settlement. Contact us for a free consultation online or toll free at 1-800-992-6878.
Smith & Nephew has manufactured hip and knee replacement systems using the dangerous metal ball in metal cup method. Smith & Nephew was founded in 1856. Today, its corporate headquarters is located in London, England, and it also has corporate offices in Andover, Massachusetts and Memphis, Tennessee. Smith & Nephew has grown into a multinational company and is one of the leading medical device manufacturers in the areas of joint products, wound management products, and trauma therapy products. In recent years, the company has acquired multiple competitors across the globe including Oratec for $310 million, Plus Orthopedics for $889 million, and BlueSky for $110 million. Smith & Nephew is the largest medical device manufacturer in Europe and the fourth largest medical device manufacturer in the United States with a 12 percent share of the market. In 2011, the company’s annual revenue was $4.3 billion with $2.3 billion attributable to its sale of joint products such as its hip and knee replacement systems.
Government Reports on Smith & Nephew
In 2007, Smith & Nephew was investigated by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) for its violation of the Federal Corrupt Practices Act. Specifically, the company improperly influenced doctors to recommend Smith & Nephew products over other products. Smith & Nephew along with other medical device companies settled these federal claims for $311 million. In 2010, the FDA issued a warning to Smith & Nephew after determining that the company’s manufacturing practices of a R3 Acetabular System component did not meet minimum sterilization requirements.
Smith & Nephew Recalls
In recent years, Smith & Nephew has issued multiple recalls on its joint products. In 2003, the company recalled its “Genesis II” and “Profix II” knee replacements. 26 percent of patients implanted with the device needed corrective surgery. In 2007, the Smith & Nephew recalled a knee replacement system after a supplier manufactured parts with a higher than specified iron content. In 2010, the company recalled about 40,000 defective tibial baseplates. Recently, in June 2012, Smith & Nephew recalled the metal liner of its R3 Acetabular System after the failure rate of the hip replacement system exceeded the standards created by Great Britain’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. This metal-on-metal hip replacement caused infections, fractures, and dislocations in patients using the device. Smith & Nephew’s recall is part of a growing number of manufacturer recalls of metal-on-metal implants across the globe.
Smith and Nephew Lawsuits
Today, Smith & Nephew faces a growing liability from its defective joint products. The defective tibial baseplate has led to multiple lawsuits after the device broke within six months of implantation for one plaintiff and within two years of implantation for another plaintiff. Additionally, the R3 Acetabular System has led to a growing number of lawsuits. Specifically, the ceramic liner did not meet sterilization requirements causing infection and the metal liner has a higher than normal failure rate. The metal liner like all metal-on-metal implants is corrosive leading to pain, infection, fracture, and dislocation. Recently, a California man filed a lawsuit against Smith & Nephew alleging that the metal liner caused metallosis. Metallosis is caused by the corrosion of metal-on-metal devices and the resulting build up of metal debris on soft tissue.
PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DISCONTINUING USE OF SMITH & NEPHEW OR ANY OTHER PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION.
Have You or a Loved One Experienced Infection, Fracture, or Dislocation From a Smith & Nephew Hip or Knee Replacement System?
If you or a loved one has experienced pain, infection, fracture, or dislocation from a Smith & Nephew hip or knee replacement system, you may want to speak with a lawyer regarding a Smith & Nephew claim. A personal injury attorney familiar with new developments in the investigation of these metal-on-metal implants may be able to help you make important personal and legal decisions. d’Oliveira & Associates, P.C, is working with some of the leading defective medical device lawyers in the country who are handling these cases.
Please contact the law offices of d’Oliveira & Associates, P.C. at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form for a free legal consultation.