Tag: maryland defective product law firm

More Bad News for Smith and Nephew

Posted on by YostLaw

Smith & Nephew continues to issue additional recalls for its defective hip implant devices. By now, Smith & Nephew has established a clear pattern of manufacturing faulty and dangerous hip devices that harm rather than help innocent users of those products. In June of 2012, Smith & Nephew issued a recall of its R3 Acetabular System hip implant, followed by a voluntary market withdrawal of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) Femoral System in June of 2015. In 2016, Smith & Nephew was forced to recall three additional hip implant products.

In August of 2016, Smith and Nephew recalled its Tandem Bipolar Hip System because of a manufacturing error that caused the device to fall apart inside the patient’s body, often within just a few weeks of surgery. Smith & Nephew manufactured the bipolar shells for this device out of specification. In issuing the recall, Smith & Nephew admitted that its negligence in manufacturing these devices could lead to a failure of the device that would require a revision surgery. They were forced to make this admission after product complaints and clinical study data showed a much a higher rate of problems for this device when compared to similar hip implants on the market.

In November of 2016, Smith and Nephew recalled its Modular SMF hip stem and Modular REDAPT hip systems. They again admitted that patients implanted with these devices may face a greater risk of the need for revision surgery based on data they collected.  Most of the problems were “metal related.” This means that like other Smith & Nephew metal-on-metal hip implant devices, many users of this product experienced dangerously high levels of chromium and cobalt in their blood. This forced innocent users of this defective product to undergo unnecessary revision surgeries.

Sadly, although time marches on, the story for Smith & Nephew remains the same. By continually putting profits ahead of the safety of individuals using its defective products, those persons are put at risk for suffering from harmful medical consequences. Our experienced lawyers fight for individuals who have been harmed by defective products. If you or a loved one has been injured or required revision surgery following a Smith & Nephew or other defective hip implant, the attorneys at the Yost Legal Group will investigate your lawsuit claim. For a free consultation, please call us at 1-800-YOSTLAW.

 

Glyphosate Added to California List of Cancer-Causing Chemicals

Posted on by YostLaw

According to the Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), glyphosate, the active ingredient in the popular herbicide Roundup, will be added to a list of known carcinogens in the state of California. Monsanto, the maker of RoundUp, has been in a legal battle with consumers who claim that the company inadequately warned users of the risk of cancer associated with the product. This listing, which goes into effect on July 7, 2017, is a victory for the over 800 individuals who have sued Monsanto claiming that RoundUp caused their cancer.

Monsanto is already fighting back, calling California’s decision “unwarranted on the basis of science and law.” Initially, the company attempted to block the addition of glyphosate to the list in trial court, but was unsuccessful.  OEHHA has announced that the listing of glyphosate will proceed, requiring companies in California that sell the chemical to add warning labels on packaging. California’s decision to officially classify glyphosate as a carcinogen and require a warning label on the product is a welcome advancement for those fighting against Monsanto’s irresponsibility.

If you or a loved one has non-Hodgins lymphoma cancer that may have been caused by exposure to Roundup, the experienced Mass Tort lawyers at The Yost Legal Group are here to help. Call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential, no-obligation consultation. At The Yost Legal Group, there is no fee or expense unless you recover.

SERIOUS MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS LINKED TO HERNIA MESH

Posted on by YostLaw

The use of synthetic mesh to repair hernias has caused thousands of patients to suffer from serious medical complications following their hernia surgery. Hernias occur when an organ or tissue pushes through the muscle that normally contains it. Surgical mesh is used to provide support to weakened or damaged tissue.

Several companies manufactured defective a screen-like synthetic hernia mesh containing a type of plastic known as polypropylene, a material that should not have been used.  Polypropylene is not intended for use in permanent medical implants such as hernia mesh.  Polypropylene mesh fibers can cause serious and permanent injuries when they break down and flow to another part of the body. The FDA issued a Safety Communication in 2014 to warn the public about the serious medical problems linked to synthetic hernia mesh, based on reports it received of complications associated with this defective product.

In April of 2016, the FDA again reported on the problems associated with these hernia mesh products, which by that time were no longer on the market.  The FDA identified the most common complications associated with these defective devices to be:

  • Pain (typically near the hernia site)
  • Infection
  • Recurrence (of the hernia, requiring a second surgery)
  • Adhesion (build- up of scar tissue)
  • Obstruction (blockages of the bowel or intestine)
  • Perforation of organs
  • Other injuries to organs, nerves or blood vessels

Numerous scientific studies have now been published which document the problems with synthetic hernia mesh.

The Yost Legal Group is investigating claims involving hernia mesh manufactured by several companies, including Johnson & Johnson, C.R. Bard, and Atrium Medical.  If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from synthetic hernia mesh, call the Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (1-800-967-8529).

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