Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel

We hold the makers of unsafe medical devices accountable.

We live in an age when the implantation of medical devices in the human body is commonplace. Every year, surgeons perform thousands of operations requiring medical devices including hernia mesh, hip implants, IVC filters, morcellators, repair patches, and transvaginal mesh. Most of us have come to trust in the safety of these devices. After all, our doctors recommend these procedures. Surely the companies that manufacture medical devices would not sell them without sufficient testing to ensure the products' safety.

Unfortunately, the American public's trust is all too often undeserved. Each year, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is deluged with more than 200,000 reports of medical devices that have malfunctioned or been involved in an injury. In addition, over 2,000 device-related deaths are reported annually. Within just the last few years, recalls have more than doubled for high and moderate-risk medical devices.

Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants: Zimmer and DePuy

Two of the most problematic metal-on-metal hip replacement products are the the Zimmer Durom Cup and the DePuy ASR hip replacement. It is estimated that 500,000 people have received all-metal hip replacements. One problem related to metal hip implants is that the devices are more prone to fail than implants made of an alternate material after only a few years. This failure results in the patient having to endure a second revision surgery on the hip. In addition, over time, metal-on-metal hip implants release tiny metal ion particles that cause the bone, tendons, ligaments and muscles around the hip to become inflamed, resulting in the loss of tissue and bone inside the hip joint.

Mesh Hernia Patch

Another commonly used medical device that has also proven unsafe is hernia mesh or hernia patch. The FDA has issued several hernia mesh recalls due to the number of reported adverse events since 2005. The problem with the mesh patch involves its “memory-recoil ring,” which allows a surgeon to fold the patch in half when it is implanted. After implantation, the patch then springs back into place over the hernia. The ring is prone to breaking and can cause serious medical problems, including bowel obstruction, bowel perforation and chronic enteric fistulas. Since 2005, the FDA has received numerous reports of patients who were injured or died as a result of problems with their mesh hernia patches.

How Waters Kraus & Paul can help

With a national presence and a wealth of experience representing clients injured by dangerous products and unsafe medical devices, Waters Kraus & Paul provides aggressive representation throughout the entire course of litigation. To learn more about legal representation at Waters Kraus & Paul, or to have one of our attorneys review your potential unsafe medical device case, email us or call 800.226.9880.

Waters & Kraus, LLP recognizes the importance of diversity for the long-term success of our Firm. We are, and have been, committed to creating an inclusive, open and respectful culture comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, where each and every one is given an opportunity to succeed. We recognize that “diversity” encompasses an infinite range of individual characteristics and experiences, including at least (but not limited to) race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender stereotyping, medical condition, HIV status, veteran status, marital status, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition and genetic information. Many other characteristics may also contribute to the Firm’s diversity. The Firm’s goal is to create a work environment where the unique attributes, perspectives, backgrounds, skills, and abilities of each individual are valued.