Fort Worth Defective Joint Replacement Lawyer

Trusted Legal Representation for Failed Medical Implants in Fort Worth

Types of Joint Implant Defects We Handle

We handle cases involving defective design, manufacturing errors, and marketing defects (failure to warn) across all major joint replacement systems, including hips, knees, and shoulders. Each of these defect categories represents a distinct legal theory, and understanding which one applies to your situation is the first step toward holding the responsible party accountable. A qualified joint replacement attorney in Fort Worth can evaluate your specific circumstances to determine the best legal path forward.

Design Defects involve devices that are inherently dangerous regardless of how carefully they were manufactured. A common example is the metal-on-metal hip implant, a device where both the ball and the acetabular cup (the socket component anchored into the pelvis) are made entirely of metal alloys. As the joint moves, metal grinds against metal, releasing microscopic debris into the surrounding tissue and bloodstream. Several of these designs were cleared for market based on limited clinical data and later caused widespread harm, eventually leading to a massive hip replacement recall.

Manufacturing Defects occur when specific batches or individual units of an otherwise sound design are contaminated, improperly machined, or assembled incorrectly at the factory. This defective manufacturing means a knee implant that passes quality control on paper but contains microscopic surface flaws can fail years ahead of its intended lifespan. These errors are often isolated to specific lot numbers, which requires detailed investigation to uncover.

Marketing Defects arise when a medical device manufacturer fails to warn doctors and patients about known risks. If a company possessed internal data showing elevated failure rates but withheld that information, patients and surgeons were denied the opportunity to make an informed decision. A defective joint replacement lawyer can expose when corporations conceal these critical warning signs regarding device safety.

Our Fort Worth defective joint replacement lawyers investigate all three theories because the right legal strategy depends on identifying what exactly went wrong.

Defect Type	What It Means	What Patients May Notice
Design Defect	The device is inherently flawed in its engineering	Premature wear, metal debris, chronic pain
Manufacturing Defect	A specific unit or batch was improperly made	Early loosening, device fracture, contamination
Marketing Defect (Failure to Warn)	The manufacturer concealed or minimized known risks	Unexpected complications not disclosed before surgery

Specific Defective Hip and Knee Manufacturers

Several major manufacturers have faced recalls and ongoing litigation over defective hip and knee implant systems. Specific defective hip implant manufacturers like DePuy Orthopaedics (a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) recalled its ASR hip system after data revealed significantly higher failure rates than originally reported. Stryker’s Rejuvenate and ABG II hip stem systems were recalled due to corrosion and fretting at the junction between components. Zimmer Biomet has faced litigation involving its NexGen knee implant and Durom acetabular cup.

If you received a hip or knee replacement and are now experiencing complications, a defective joint replacement lawyer can identify the specific device model from your surgical records and determine whether it has been linked to knee replacement surgery failures or recalls.

Recognizing the Signs of Implant Failure

Common signs of a defective joint replacement include chronic pain, swelling, instability, audible clicking or popping sounds, and elevated levels of metal ions in the blood (metallosis). This condition, known as metallosis, occurs when metal debris builds up in the soft tissues of the body. These symptoms can emerge months or even years after the initial hip or knee replacement surgery, and they are often mistakenly attributed to normal aging or expected post-surgical discomfort. A lawyer for defective joint replacement can help you determine if your symptoms point to a deeper issue.

Physical Symptoms

For defective hip replacements, persistent groin or thigh pain that worsens over time is one of the most reported warning signs. In failed knee implants, patients may feel the joint “giving way” or experience a grinding sensation during movement. Swelling, warmth around the joint, and dislocation are also red flags. Signs of infection around the joint, such as redness or discharge, can indicate that the device materials are causing a biological reaction or that the implant site has been compromised.

Systemic Issues: Metallosis

One of the more serious complications is metallosis, a form of metal poisoning that occurs when toxic metal shavings from a failing implant enter surrounding tissue and the bloodstream. Cobalt and chromium ions released from metal-on-metal hip implants can cause tissue damage, neurological symptoms such as cognitive changes and hearing loss, and even cardiac complications. Research published by the UPMC Department of Pathology documents how bilateral metal-on-metal hip prostheses can produce dangerously elevated blood cobalt levels.

Under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 82, manufacturers can be held liable for defective products that cause these types of injuries.

Radiographic Signs

X-rays and other imaging may reveal osteolysis, or bone loss around the implant, as well as visible loosening of the device from the bone bed. These Radiographic Signs provide clear visual evidence of how the device is interacting with your bone. These findings often confirm what a patient already feels: the device is failing. A knowledgeable Fort Worth joint replacement attorney knows how to use these medical findings to substantiate your claim.

Symptom Checklist

• Chronic or worsening pain in the hip, groin, thigh, or knee
• Joint instability or the sensation of “giving way”
• Swelling, warmth, or inflammation around the implant site
• Audible clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
• Difficulty walking or decreased range of motion
• Skin discoloration or rash near the implant
• Neurological symptoms such as headaches, memory issues, or hearing changes
• Blood tests showing elevated cobalt or chromium levels

If you recognize several of these symptoms, do not assume they are a normal part of recovery. A Fort Worth defective joint replacement lawyer can help you determine whether your device is the cause and connect you with independent medical experts for evaluation.

The Medical Mechanism of Metal-on-Metal Failure

In a metal-on-metal hip implant, the repeated motion of the metal ball rotating inside the metal socket produces friction that generates microscopic metallic debris. Over time, these toxic metal shavings can trigger a destructive inflammatory response in the surrounding tissue. This often leads to pseudotumors, which are non-cancerous masses that can destroy muscle, bone, and soft tissue around the joint.

If left unaddressed, this process can lead to tissue necrosis, the death of healthy tissue around the implant. Tissue necrosis is the death of living tissue, and it can significantly complicate future surgeries. The damage from tissue necrosis often makes any future revision surgery significantly more difficult and less likely to restore full function.

The Health Risks: Why Revision Is Often Required

Defective implants often necessitate revision surgery, a complex and risky procedure to remove the failed device and replace it with a new one, often resulting in longer recovery times and permanent functional loss. Revision surgery is not simply a “redo” of the original operation; it carries substantially higher risks and typically results in longer, more painful recovery periods. As experienced defective joint replacement counsel, we understand that the physical toll of a second surgery is a major component of your damages.

Why revision is more dangerous than the initial procedure:

Revision arthroplasty is the medical term for a surgery to replace or repair a failed implant. It is more complex because surgeons must work around scar tissue, weakened or missing bone, and damaged soft tissue left behind by the failed device. Research published by the Archives of Medical Science confirms that revision hip procedures carry meaningfully lower long-term survival rates compared to primary replacements. Surgeons must adhere to a rigorous standard of care to mitigate these elevated risks, but even excellent medical technique cannot fully offset the damage caused by the original defective device.

Primary Surgery vs. Revision Surgery

• Post-operative infection: Revision surgery carries a higher risk of infection due to the longer operating time and compromised tissue.
• Bone fracture: The weakened bone bed increases the chance of fracture during the procedure itself.
• Leg length discrepancy: This is a condition where one leg becomes shorter than the other, often requiring lifelong accommodation.
• Recovery time: Initial replacements may involve weeks of rehabilitation; revisions often require months.
• Functional outcome: Many patients never fully regain the range of motion or stability they had before the original device failed.

For a patient who went into their first hip or knee replacement surgery expecting improved mobility, the reality of revision surgery and permanent functional limitations can be devastating. A Fort Worth defective joint replacement lawyer can help you pursue compensation that accounts for these ongoing medical needs, lost wages, and diminished quality of life.

Liability: Manufacturer Defect vs. Surgical Malpractice

A failed joint replacement may be caused by a defective product (Product Liability) or an error made by the surgeon during implantation (Medical Malpractice); we investigate both avenues to maximize recovery. Determining the root cause is essential because it dictates who must pay for your injuries. A skilled lawyer for joint replacement errors can parse the evidence to see if the failure stems from the boardroom or the operating room.

Product Liability Claims

When a hip or knee implant is defective due to its design or manufacturing, the medical device manufacturer may be held strictly liable. This means you do not need to prove the company was careless; you need to prove the product was unreasonably dangerous. This applies to companies like DePuy, Stryker, and Zimmer Biomet when their devices fail at rates that exceed acceptable standards. An attorney for defective implants focuses on securing internal company documents that prove knowledge of these defects.

Medical Malpractice Claims

In some cases, the implant itself functions as intended, but the surgeon made an error during the procedure. Misaligning the acetabular cup, selecting the wrong implant size, or damaging nerves during installation are examples of surgical errors that can lead to premature failure. These claims require proving that the orthopedic surgeon violated the standard of care, the level of treatment that a reasonably competent specialist would have provided in the same situation.

Dual Liability

Sometimes both the manufacturer and the surgeon share shared responsibility. A defective device may have been implanted improperly, compounding the harm. Our Fort Worth defective joint replacement lawyers examine both the device itself and the surgical technique to determine where liability falls.

Liable Party	Basis for Claim	What We Investigate
Device Manufacturer	Product liability (strict liability)	Design data, recall history, FDA reports, failure rates
Orthopedic Surgeon	Medical malpractice (negligence)	Operative notes, implant positioning, imaging, surgical technique
Both	Combined product defect and surgical error	Full medical record review, device testing, expert analysis

Understanding Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)

When a defective joint implant injures thousands of patients across the country, individual lawsuits against the manufacturer are often consolidated into multidistrict litigation. MDL is a federal legal procedure designed to manage many similar cases efficiently. It is different from a class action because each case retains its individual value while sharing common discovery and bellwether trials.

Our firm works within these MDL structures and maintains relationships with national experts who can analyze your specific device. Whether your case is part of a mass tort or involves an individual attorney for defective implants, we pursue the strategy that protects your interests.

Your Path to Recovery: Steps After Implant Failure

If you suspect your implant is defective, you must immediately seek a second medical opinion, preserve the explanted device if revision surgery occurs, and consult a specialized attorney before the statute of limitations expires. Our founder, Tommy Hastings, is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law and leads our thorough investigation of these medical records. A lawyer for defective hip replacement can guide you through this critical timeline.

1. Get an independent medical evaluation. Do not rely solely on the surgeon who performed the original procedure. Seek a second opinion from an orthopedic specialist who has no financial relationship with the original provider. An independent review can confirm whether your symptoms are caused by device failure.

1. Request your complete medical records. Ask for your operative report, implant identification records (including the device’s serial number, lot number, and manufacturer), and all post-surgical imaging. These documents are the evidence needed to identify the exact device and link it to known defects.

1. Preserve the explanted device. If revision surgery is recommended, the removed implant, known as the explanted device, is the single most important piece of physical evidence in your case. Hospitals sometimes dispose of removed devices as medical waste. The United States District Court Explant Preservation Agreement provides a framework for ensuring the device is saved for testing and analysis. Your attorney should coordinate this before any revision procedure.

1. Report the device to the FDA. You or your doctor can file an adverse event report through FDA MedWatch, the FDA’s safety information and adverse event reporting program. This provides official guidance on reporting failures and creates a record that contributes to broader device surveillance.

1. Consult a specialized attorney before the deadline passes. Texas law imposes strict time limits for filing defective device and medical negligence claims. A Fort Worth defective joint replacement lawyer can evaluate your case, identify the right legal theory, and ensure critical deadlines are not missed.

The earlier you take action, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong case.

Contact the Fort Worth Medical Device Attorneys at Hastings Law Firm Today for Help

A defective hip or knee implant can take away the mobility and independence you were promised. At Hastings Law Firm, our entire team, including in-house medical professionals, former defense attorneys, and a national network of experts, is dedicated to investigating what went wrong and pursuing the compensation you need to move forward. With over 20 years of experience, we understand the long-term impact of failed implants and the care required for recovery.

Whether your case involves a recalled device or a surgical error, our Fort Worth Defective Joint Replacement Lawyer team is prepared to take your case to trial if that is what it takes to secure a fair result.

Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation. There is no fee unless we recover for you.