Tennessee Injury Lawyer Blog
If you or a loved one experienced complications resulting from an Exactech knee replacement, you could be entitled to compensation.
Exactech is a medical device manufacturer that produces metal-on-metal hip and knee replacement products. These products have been linked to a number of serious health complications, including metallosis, tissue death, and knee replacement failure and have been used by orthopedics Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee
Patients who have suffered complications after receiving an Exactech knee replacement may be able to file a lawsuit against the company. If you or a loved one has been affected by an Exactech knee replacement, contact a qualified attorney today to discuss your legal options.
Exactech Knee Replacement Recall
Exactech’s recall applies to any of its knee replacement systems made after 2004. This recall was issued after Exactech discovered that its products were failing at an alarming rate.
The company’s packaging used at the time resulted in a polyethylene insert of its knee replacement systems to degrade. This increased the risk of knee replacement failure and other serious complications.
Affected Knee Replacement Systems
Exactech’s recall applies to three different knee replacement systems: Optetrak, Truliant, and Optetrak Logic.
On March 3, 2021, Exactech issued a recall of all its knee replacement implant products made after 2004. This decision affects approximately 147,000 of these implants currently in use throughout the United States.
The Exactech implant systems are utilized in a type of knee replacement surgery referred to as total knee arthroplasty, or “TKA.” TKA procedures are generally used to treat chronic pain associated with arthritis, although they can also be used to correct traumatic injuries or deformities.
Complications Caused by Recalled Units
Patients who have received a recalled unit may experience serious complications, including:
● Decreased mobility
● Severe pain
● Swelling
As a result of receiving defective knee replacement implants, patients will have to undergo revision surgery in order to correct the problem. This surgery is both expensive, risky, and can cause additional complications.
If you or a loved one has experienced complications after receiving a recalled knee replacement unit, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Doing so can ensure that you are compensated for the revision surgery, as well as for pain, suffering, lost wages, and more.
An experienced lawyer can help you understand your legal options and ensure that your rights are protected.
How to File a Lawsuit
Patients who have suffered complications after receiving an Exactech knee replacement may be able to file a lawsuit against the company. If you or a loved one has been affected by an Exactech knee replacement, contact a qualified attorney today to discuss your legal options.
An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected.
Updates on the Class Action Lawsuit
As of September 2022, Exactech has agreed to settle the class action lawsuit and award the plaintiffs. It’s estimated that those affected will receive as much as $190,000, although this is only speculation this early in the process.
The Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) panel was advised by Exactech that a new class action lawsuit would be created to consolidate all of its recall lawsuits. This put an end to the debate over if there should or shouldn’t be a class action lawsuit.
Exactech responded by agreeing with the lawsuit’s plaintiffs that Eastern District of New York is most suitable for the MDL. The company’s consent almost guarantees that Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) will recognize their request, which will establish a new MDL for Exactech recalls.
If you choose to file your lawsuit with the federal court, it’ll be consolidated and tried by a single judge located in New York.
36 Exactech Recall Lawsuits
Exactech attorneys have filed a JPML motion to establish an MDL in the Eastern District of New York, which currently has 36 Exactech recall lawsuits pending. If successful, this would be significantly more efficient than handling each case individually.
It’s worth noting that Exactech is headquartered in Florida and thus will likely request the Northern District of Florida as the venue; jurors in this area may be more favorable given the company’s name recognition.
Exactech was forced to expand its recall of joint replacement implants last week, notifying healthcare providers that the earlier recall initiated in February now included 40,000 more implant components.
This recall expansion includes acetabular hip liners used in Exactech’s Novation, Connexion, and other similar implant systems.
Protect Your Rights
If you or someone you love suffered complications from an Exactech knee replacement, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact a trusted and experienced attorney today to discuss your legal options. Contact us at The Higgins Firm today.
