EXACTECH RECALL LAWSUIT ATTORNEYS
Exactech Recall Lawyer Accepting Claims Nationally
Defective medical devices can be very dangerous for patients, especially when they’re completely unaware of the risks associated with those devices. Unfortunately, a major recall of certain hip, ankle, and knee implants was recently announced by Exactech. Exactech is a prominent medical device company. The recall affects approximately 150,000 devices. It went into effect shortly after a packaging defect was discovered. The defect caused premature failure of many devices and has already forced many patients to endure revision surgery. If you were affected by the Exactech recall, we encourage you to contact Reich & Binstock as soon as possible.
At Reich & Binstock, our Houston personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling personal injury cases involving pharmaceutical injuries and defective medical devices. We have found success holding Big Pharma accountable for dangerous drugs, as well as in holding negligent manufacturers accountable for dangerous products. If you received an Exactech knee replacement implant, you might be entitled to financial compensation. To determine whether or not you have a case, please contact our Houston law firm. Schedule your free consultation with us at 713-622-7271 today.
History of Exactech Knee Implants
As we stated before, Exactech is a global medical device company that manufactures devices used in various joint replacement surgeries. Recently, the company issued a large-scale recall of their Exactech knee replacement device, as well as their ankle implant device. The reason behind the recall is the defective packaging that led to premature wear and degradation of the implants. A failed implant poses significant risks to patients, so they must undergo corrective revision surgery in order to replace the knee or ankle replacement.
Obviously, another major surgery is an unfortunate result of having a defective Exactech implant in the joint. Patients who must endure this corrective surgery will not only experience significant pain and a long recovery period, but they will also have mounting medical bills. The attorneys at Reich & Binstock are here to evaluate your Exactech knee replacement lawsuit and fight for full and fair compensation on your behalf.
Exactech Lawsuit Update 2024
March 2024: As of March 1, 2024, there are over 1,200 pending cases in the Exactech knee replacements recall MDL. Seventy-five new cases were added over the previous 30 days, which is one of the highest volume additions of cases since September 2023. A new status conference has been scheduled for March 13, 2024 to address discovery issues, litigation status, and bellwether selection processes.
February 2024: In January 2024, nearly 80 new cases were added to the Exactech class action lawsuit, bringing the total number of cases in the MDL to 1,169.
January 2024: The FDA issued a warning about Exactech Equinoxe shoulder systems. The warning was about systems manufactured before August 2021, concerning defective packaging. When products have defective packaging, this can lead to oxidation and an increased risk of early shoulder replacement failure. A new Truliant Exactech claim was also filed in late January 2024.
Exactech Lawsuit Update 2023
December 2023: Over the last 30 days, around 200 new Exactech recall claims were added to the MDL, totaling nearly 1,090 pending claims. Most of these claims involve knee replacement products, with other claims involving hip and ankle replacements.
November 2023: In October, the Exactech MDL judge ordered the company to produce 35,000 documents. This is after they determined those documents were inappropriately withheld during the discovery process. Additionally, the magistrate judge determined processes for handling important evidence, such as medical devices and pathology specimens.
October 2023: A dispute over discovery began developing after Exactech refused to produce certain documents that were related to prior litigation the company had faced.
Exactech Lawsuit Updates 2022
Beginning in June 2021, Exactech began its first round of recalls. They announced a recall of their Connexion GXL hip implant. This was the first mention of the defective packaging that led to the oxidation and wear of the implants.
In August 2021, the recall was expanded to include all knee and ankle arthroplasty polyethylene inserts. The reason for the recall was, once again, defective packaging. This stage of the recall included only specific Exactech ankle and knee replacement implants.
In February 2022, the recall expanded to include all knee and ankle replacements, regardless of their labels. As of now, very few recipients of the Exactech knee and ankle implants have actually received further information about how to proceed.
Exactech Lawsuit for Knee Implants
Exactech has done only the bare minimum in terms of prioritizing patient safety since issuing its knee and ankle replacement recall announcement. As a company, Exactech provided orthopedic surgeons with sample letters to send to their patients about the recalled Exactech products.
Although around 150,000 patients were affected by this recall, very few have filed lawsuits. Additionally, there is no Exactech class action lawsuit. However, plaintiffs have recently taken the first step toward a multi-district litigation case. In June 2022, plaintiffs filed a motion with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to consolidate all future Exactech recall lawsuits.
Can I Sue for a Failed Knee Replacement?
Yes. When you go in for knee surgery, you expect the outcome to be improved mobility, reduced pain, and a better quality of life. However, your knee replacement surgery has now been marred by the Exactech knee replacement recall. With the help of a Houston product liability attorney, you have the potential to fight for the compensation you deserve from a faulty knee replacement.
Because of the defective device packaging, the recalled Exactech implants are more likely to degrade prematurely, sometimes within a few months. This is an unacceptable risk posed to the patient’s health. It is also an unacceptable financial burden that arises from the need to undergo revision surgery to remove the defective device. Whether you decide to join the multidistrict litigation cases or file your own individual lawsuit, our law firm is here for you.
Who Is Eligible for an Exactech Recall Lawsuit?
Reich & Binstock is currently investigating the Exactech knee implant lawsuit cases. Current lawsuits allege that patients who have an Exactech implant are eligible for knee revision surgery in order to remove the device. Revision surgery is highly expensive and painful. Patients who received one of these knee or ankle replacement devices should contact a trusted attorney as soon as possible. They may be entitled to compensation for their out-of-pocket costs related to the defective Exactech implants.
What Exactech Implants Have Been Recalled?
The following medical devices are included in the Exactech lawsuits and recalls.
Optetrak Products
- All-Polyethylene (CR and PS) Tibial Components
- Tibial Inserts (CR and PS)
- CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- Hi-Flex PS Tibial Inserts
- Logic (CR, CRC, PS, PSC, and CC) Tibial Inserts
- Logic CR Slope Tibial Inserts
Truliant Products
- Tibial Inserts (CR, CRC, PS, and PSC)
- CR Slope Tibial Inserts
Vantage Fixed-Bearing Liner Component
- All Vantage fixed-bearing liner components
Why Was the Exactech Knee Implant Recalled?
The recalls apply specifically to any above medical device manufactured in 2004 or later. This is because the packaging used for the products allowed oxygen to affect and prematurely degrade the implants’ polyethylene liners. A failure of the polyethylene liners could result in the need to undergo corrective surgery, fracture of the components, and even significant bone loss.
The significance of undergoing revision surgery because of a faulty knee replacement system lies in the fact that revisions are often more difficult than initial surgeries. Revisions frequently require longer surgery times and knee replacement devices. This could lead to significant medical expenses for recipients of the recalled Vantage, Truliant, and Optetrak knee implants.
How Do I Know If I Have a Recalled Exactech Implant?
The easiest way to determine if you have a recalled Exactech knee replacement system is to look at the company’s online database. All you need is the serial number associated with your device. You should be able to get this information by contacting your surgeon.
What Should I Do If My Knee Implant Was Recalled?
If you have had knee, hip, or ankle replacement surgeries, we recommend that you visit the FDA’s website. The FDA maintains an extensive database of all recalled medical devices that you can use to search for recalls of any products you may have used or received. Simply visit their website and type in the name of the knee replacement device used during your surgery.
If you are unsure of what brand your knee implant is, contact the surgeon who performed the procedure. In some cases, your doctor may have already called you or sent you a notice about your Exactech hip, knee, or ankle replacement surgery. However, many patients are still completely unaware of the recall at this time.
Again, we urge you to contact your doctor’s office immediately and find out if your knee replacement devices have been recalled. If you find out that your implant has been recalled, keep a sharp eye out for signs of device failure. Signs of failure include the following.
- Pain when you bear weight
- Pain while not bearing weight
- Redness or swelling
- Other signs of infection
- Difficulty walking or standing
If you experience these symptoms, contact your surgeon right away. It may be necessary to perform revision surgery before you suffer permanent damage, serious injuries, or a serious illness from the defective device.
What Are the Symptoms of Exactech Knee Implant Failure?
After their knee replacement surgery, many patients have suffered from serious side effects related to the defective products. These side effects include the following.
- Pain from the affected knee
- Knee instability
- Swelling and redness
- Grinding sensation
- An inability to bear weight on the knee replacement
- Knee injuries
What Health Problems Are Linked to Defective Exactech Knee Implants?
An Exactech knee device with faulty packaging could face a slew of mechanical problems, such as premature wear and device failure. The biggest packaging issue was the lack of one of the oxygen barriers that protects the products from oxidation. Oxidation can lead to several potential issues for patients, including severe pain, bone loss, fractured components, device failure, swelling, and the need for revision knee replacement surgery.
How to File an Exactech Lawsuit in 2024
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries from a defective Exactech knee, hip, or ankle replacement implant system, you may be entitled to compensation. Patients should not have to suffer pain, injuries, or revision surgeries due to defective medical devices. Reich & Binstock has considerable experience representing patients nationwide who were the victims of faulty medical devices and pharmaceutical products.
To begin your Exactech lawsuit, contact our Houston-based law firm to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your case. Call 713-622-7271 today, or submit an online intake form to schedule with us. We will evaluate your case and help you understand the next steps to take if you are eligible for compensation.
What to Do If You Are a Patient with Recalled Exactech Knee Implants
If you are a patient with recalled Exactech joint replacement devices, there are several steps you should take to protect yourself. First, we recommend contacting the surgeon who implanted your Exactech device. Get information about exactly which Exactech device they used during your joint replacement surgery. Then, contact an attorney who handles Exactech recall cases and who has extensive experience with defective medical device lawsuits.
The defective medical device lawyers at Reich & Binstock are here to evaluate Exactech claims nationwide and advise injured patients of their next steps. If you are unsure of whether you qualify for a claim, give us a call at 713-622-7271. We offer free initial consultations, so you can find out if you are eligible to file a claim without having to pay expensive consultation fees.
How Do I Know If Exactech Made My Implants?
To find out if your surgeon used Exactech implants during your surgery, all you need to do is give them a call. Ask your surgeon for details on which implant they used, and get the serial number if possible. They should have this information in their records. With the serial number, you can look up whether or not your particular implants were involved in the Exactech recall and proceed from there.
How Much Is a Knee Replacement Lawsuit Worth?
At this time, we have no way of knowing exactly what each victim may receive in terms of compensation. However, we do have precedent to reference when talking specifically about knee replacement cases. The facts of the cases may differ, but the fact remains that these cases are very serious.
The largest knee replacement settlement was a $1 billion payout for 4,000 cases. That’s approximately $250,000 per case. Keep in mind that potential settlement amounts, even for similar cases, may vary greatly. To get a better understanding of what your case might be worth, we recommend speaking with the law firm of Reich & Binstock. Our experience and knowledge will work to your advantage after you suffer injuries from a faulty knee, ankle, or hip replacement.
Average Settlement for Faulty Knee Replacement
It is difficult to determine average settlements for faulty knee replacements without specific information about a patient’s case. In general, we do not like to give dollar amounts unless we can look into a patient’s case during a free consultation. However, historically, many cases involving defective joint replacement devices have settled for $100,000 or more. This depends largely on the extent of the patient’s injuries and the level at which the at-fault party is to blame for the patient’s injuries.
The best way to fully understand the potential value of your claim is to speak with a defective medical device attorney. We can evaluate your individual situation and unique circumstances to give you a better idea of the potential value of your case.
How Long Does It Take to File a Lawsuit Against Exactech?
Because we are still in the early stages of litigation, it is unclear how long it will take to reach a settlement. Many law firms handling these cases have only seen a few lawsuits filed regarding the Exactech knees, hips, and ankles. However, part of the reason for this is that Exactech is only directly notifying orthopedic surgeons of the recall.
They leave the dissemination of information to busy medical professionals instead of increasing awareness of their defective products. Obviously, this is good for the image of the company but bad for patients with a hip replacement, total knee replacement, or ankle replacement.
In short, it is difficult to estimate how long an individual case might take, let alone a mass tort case. The best way to get a better understanding of the lawsuit process is to speak with our Exactech lawyers. Because of our extensive experience in mass tort litigation, we know how the process works. Based on the facts of your case and the information we already have about current lawsuits, we can advise you on the best course of action.
Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
In Texas, the personal injury statute of limitations for filing a claim for a recalled Exactech knee replacement is two years. This means that patients have two years from the date of their implant’s failure or two years from the date of patients discovering the recall to file a claim. It is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing the statute of limitations. Once the two-year mark has passed, it is extremely difficult for patients to be able to file claims for compensation.
How Can a Defective Medical Device Lawyer Help Me?
Working with law firms that have experience in defective product lawsuits is important, as this will ensure that you don’t miss the filing deadline or forget an important step. The injury lawyers at Reich & Binstock will help your case in the following ways.
- Proving that the medical device you used was defective.
- Proving that you were harmed and suffered financial damages from the defect.
- Identifying all responsible parties, including manufacturers, sales representatives, and testing labs.
- Using our knowledge and experience in mass tort litigation to your advantage.
- Fighting for full and fair compensation for your injuries.
- Reaching out to medical experts to testify in your case.
File an Exactech Recall Lawsuit Today
If you suffered damages from a defective Exactech knee, ankle, or hip replacement, the attorneys at Reich & Binstock are here for you. With our experience in mass tort litigation and defective medical device cases, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. Reach out to our attorneys as soon as possible at 713-622-7271 for a free case evaluation.
