Biomet Hip Lawsuits

As of November 2023, lawyers are still accepting Biomet lawsuits. Biomet settled the majority of its M2a Magnum hip implant lawsuits for $56 million prior to 2020, but individual Biomet M2a hip lawsuits are still underway. Zimmer acquired Biomet, forming Zimmer Biomet, which settled thousands of claims through multidistrict litigation.

People who have been injured from Biomet’s M2a Magnum hip implants can still file individual cases against the company. The Biomet MDL was closed after cases settled, but lawyers are still filing Biomet lawsuits in state courts across the country.

People are filing Zimmer Biomet lawsuits because of complications from their M2a Magnum hip replacement devices. The metal parts of the implanted devices wore against each other and released microscopic metal ions into the body of patients, which caused a wide variety of complications, including metallosis and tissue and bone damage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration received hundreds of reports of these complications from doctors and patients who used the implant. However, Biomet did not recall the devices.

Metallosis is a type of metal poisoning that can occur as a side effect of joint replacement devices with metal components, such as metal-on-metal hip replacements or other metal implants. These devices are made from a blend of several metals, including chromium, cobalt, nickel, titanium and molybdenum. When the metal parts rub against each other, they release microscopic metal particles into the blood and surrounding tissues.

Metallosis develops as these metal ions build up in the bone, muscle and other tissues around the implant. This buildup can result in the death of bone or other tissues and other complications. Metallosis and related conditions usually requires revision surgery to remove and replace the metal implant.

Injuries Named in Sieminski v. Biomet

Andrew Sieminski underwent surgery in 2009 to receive the M2a Magnum hip placement device. The initial surgery was successful, but Sieminski began to experience pain at the surgery site years later and could not continue working as a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier.

When Sieminski underwent corrective surgery in 2018 to address the pain, his surgeon found a loss of bone tissue, abnormal growths, metallosis and a fracture at the implant site. Sieminski is claiming damages in excess of $50,000 from Zimmer Biomet to compensate for these injuries.

Sieminski also alleges Zimmer Biomet knew of potential complications but did not warn patients or surgeons of the necessity of following up M2a implant surgery with testing and screening of the device and implant area.

Injuries Named in Chaffee v. Biomet

In 2008, Thomas Chaffee was 46 when he underwent his first hip replacement surgery with an M2a Magnum hip replacement device. Two years later, he received a second device for his other hip. After these surgeries, Chaffee incurred heavy metal poisoning and metallosis, tissue death, bone loss and pain.

To address these complications, Chaffee underwent hip replacement revision surgery in 2019 to replace the left implant. During surgery, the doctor discovered severe metallosis, loss of bone tissue, a large growth of 9 cm and a fracture at the surgery site. In June 2020, Chaffee underwent a second revision surgery to remove the right hip implant. The doctor found similar damages to the surgery site and the patient’s abductor muscles.

In October 2020, Chaffee developed a hip fracture and dislocated his hip. The surgery to resolve this fracture led to Chaffee’s death when he went into cardiac arrest during the procedure. Chaffee’s widow, Cynthia Chaffee, is suing Zimmer Biomet for her losses and the injuries and pain suffered by Thomas Chaffee. The case also alleges Zimmer Biomet knew of potential complications with its M2a Magnum hip replacement device but failed to warn patients or doctors.

Injuries Named in Mattson v. Zimmer Biomet

Bruce Mattson underwent initial implant surgery in December 2007 to replace his left hip with a Zimmer Biomet M2a Magnum hip replacement device. In 2020, Mattson underwent revision surgery to replace the hip replacement device, citing pain at the surgery site. The performing surgeon found tissue and bone destruction, and blood tests revealed Mattson had elevated levels of chromium and cobalt in his system from metal ions released by the implant.

Mattson is suing Zimmer Biomet for significant pain, tissue and bone damage, metal poisoning and loss of enjoyment of life and limitation of daily activities. He is also suing for future emotional trauma and distress, future and past loss of earnings, and damages from future complications from high amounts of cobalt and chromium in his body.

Mattson also claims that Zimmer Biomet deceived surgeons by suggesting cases of heavy metal poisoning linked to the M2a Magnum hip replacement device were fake, that they suppressed reports of problems with the devices and that they lied about existing heavy metal toxicity complaints. Mattson’s case also alleges Zimmer Biomet published a warning in Europe about the high rate of revision surgery associated with the M2a devices but failed to publish the same warning in the United States.

An experienced Biomet hip replacement lawyer can help you determine your eligibility to file a lawsuit. To be eligible for a Zimmer Biomet hip replacement lawsuit, you must have experienced complications at the surgery site, such as increased pain, lack of mobility, dislocation or fracture, or experienced heavy metal toxicity or metallosis.

In some cases, requiring revision surgery within a specific timeframe can make you eligible to file a claim. Your lawyer can advise on the time limitations of Zimmer Biomet hip replacement lawsuits.

Plaintiffs are also filing cases alleging that Zimmer Biomet deceived doctors and patients regarding M2a device complications. An experienced hip replacement lawyer can help you get the necessary information to file a lawsuit and prove eligibility. Your lawyer will ask for documentation relating to your surgery and complications.

What Settlement Amount Could I Expect?

Individual lawsuits filed against Biomet have awarded hundreds of millions of dollars to plaintiffs. Different variables can affect your Zimmer Biomet hip replacement settlement, including the timing of revision surgery. Be sure to speak to an experienced lawyer to discuss your specific case.

In 2014, Biomet settled mass litigation regarding its hip implant devices for at least $56 million spread out over thousands of cases. Individuals most often received between $10,000 and $200,000 each. In a report published in 2015, Zimmer Biomet anticipated it would require more than $30 million to resolve outstanding claims not addressed by the MDL.