Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuit

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Thousands of people who received Exactech knee replacements believed they were getting a new lease on life, free from joint pain. Unfortunately, a widespread recall has revealed that many of these devices contained a defect that could lead to early failure, causing significant pain and requiring additional, intensive surgery.

An Exactech knee replacement lawsuit seeks to hold the manufacturer accountable for the harm caused by these faulty implants and to secure compensation for those affected. If you or a family member experienced complications after receiving an Exactech knee implant, you may have legal options. Contact Ferrer Poirot Feller today to discuss your case and legal options.

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Key Takeaways about Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuits

• Defective packaging for certain Exactech knee implants allowed oxygen to reach a plastic component, causing it to degrade and fail prematurely.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued recalls for several models of Exactech knee replacement systems, including the Optetrak, Optetrak Logic, and Truliant lines.
• Patients with a failing implant may experience symptoms like pain, swelling, joint instability, or clicking sounds, often requiring corrective revision surgery.
• Filing an Exactech knee replacement lawsuit can help affected individuals seek financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
• These legal actions are consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) to handle the large volume of similar cases efficiently.
• Speaking with a law firm can help individuals understand their rights and determine if they can file a claim.

Why Choose Ferrer Poirot Feller for Your Exactech Knee Replacement Recall Lawsuit?

When you are facing a medical complication from a defective device, the law firm you choose can make a significant difference. At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we have been standing up for the rights of injured individuals across the country since 1981. Our extensive experience in complex product liability cases means we understand the challenges you are facing and how to build a strong case against large medical device manufacturers.

We are dedicated to holding corporations accountable when their products cause harm. Insurance companies and corporate legal teams know our reputation for being prepared to go to trial to get our clients the compensation they deserve. Our approach is built on a foundation of client advocacy and a commitment to achieving results.

Here’s what our firm offers:

• Decades of Experience: With over 40 years of legal practice, we have the knowledge and resources to handle complicated mass tort cases.
• A National Reach: We represent clients from all 50 states, so we can help you no matter where you live.
• A Focus on Accountability: Our goal is to force companies to prioritize your safety over their profits.
• A No-Fee Promise: You will never receive a bill from us unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

Our team of defective medical device lawyers is ready to put our history of success and our reputation to work for you and your family.

Understanding the Problem with Exactech Knee Implants

Knee replacement surgery is a common procedure intended to relieve pain and restore mobility for people with severe arthritis or knee injuries. Patients trust that the medical devices implanted in their bodies are safe, tested, and will last for many years.

However, in 2021 and 2022, the manufacturer Exactech announced recalls for hundreds of thousands of its knee and ankle replacement devices manufactured as far back as 2004. The core of the problem lies with a crucial component: the polyethylene insert. This plastic part acts as a cushion between the metal components of the artificial joint, similar to cartilage in a natural knee.

The company discovered that the vacuum-sealed bags used to package these polyethylene inserts were defective. These non-conforming bags allowed oxygen to seep in and contact the plastic component before it was implanted. This exposure to oxygen can trigger a process called oxidation.

Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can cause plastic to break down and become brittle over time. An oxidized polyethylene insert in a knee replacement can wear out much faster than it should, leading to the early failure of the entire joint implant.

Which Exactech Knee Devices Were Recalled?

The recall affects several of the company’s most widely used knee replacement systems. If you or a loved one had a total knee replacement, it is important to find out which device was used.

The specific knee implant systems included in the recall are:

• Optetrak®: All-polyethylene and metal-backed tibial components.
• Optetrak Logic®: Tibial components, including options for cruciate-retaining and posterior-stabilized designs.
• Truliant®: Both cruciate-retaining and posterior-stabilized tibial inserts.
• Vantage®: This is an ankle replacement system, but it suffers from the same packaging defect.

These recalls impact devices implanted over a period of nearly two decades, meaning a vast number of patients could be at risk for premature device failure.

Signs and Symptoms of a Failing Exactech Knee Implant

For many patients, the failure of an Exactech knee implant does not happen overnight. It can be a gradual process that begins with subtle symptoms that worsen over time. Because these devices are meant to last 15-20 years or more, experiencing problems within just a few years of surgery is a significant warning sign.

If you have an Exactech knee implant, it is crucial to pay attention to any new or worsening symptoms.

Common indicators of implant failure include:

• New or Worsening Pain: Pain, especially when bearing weight, that was not present after the initial recovery period.
• Swelling and Inflammation: Persistent swelling around the knee joint.
• Joint Instability: A feeling that the knee is loose, wobbly, or may “give out” during movement.
• Reduced Range of Motion: Increasing stiffness or difficulty bending and straightening the knee.
• Clicking, Grinding, or Popping: Audible noises from the joint during movement that were not there before.
• Difficulty Walking: Problems with mobility that require the use of a cane or walker.

These symptoms can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, making it difficult to perform daily activities, work, or enjoy hobbies.

The Need for Corrective Revision Surgery

When a knee implant fails, the primary medical solution is often revision surgery. This is a second, more complex operation to remove the original failed device and replace it with a new one.

Revision surgery is typically more challenging than the initial replacement for several reasons:

• Bone Loss: The failed implant can damage the surrounding bone, making it harder to secure the new device.
• Longer Recovery: Recovery from revision surgery is often longer and more painful than the first procedure.
• Increased Risks: As with any major surgery, there are risks of infection, blood clots, and other complications.

Facing an unexpected second surgery because of a defective product can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. The goal of an Exactech knee replacement lawsuit is to help patients recover the resources needed to manage these challenges.

Who Is Eligible to File an Exactech Knee Replacement Lawsuit?

You may be wondering if your situation qualifies you to take legal action. While every case is unique, there are general criteria that most plaintiffs in the Exactech litigation meet. Understanding these can help you determine your next steps.

Generally, you may be able to file an Exactech lawsuit if you:

1. Received a Recalled Implant: You had a total knee replacement surgery where an Exactech Optetrak, Optetrak Logic, or Truliant system was used.
2. Suffered an Injury: You have experienced complications and symptoms of implant failure, such as pain, instability, or swelling.
3. Required Revision Surgery: Your doctor has performed or recommended that you undergo revision surgery to replace the failed Exactech implant.

If you are unsure what type of implant you have, you can request your medical records from the hospital or surgeon who performed your initial surgery. These records will contain the specific product information for your device.

Pursuing Compensation for Your Injuries

A successful product liability lawsuit can provide financial compensation for the various losses you have endured due to the defective knee implant. This compensation, legally referred to as damages, is intended to help restore you to the financial position you were in before the injury occurred.

While no amount of money can erase the pain and difficulty of a failed medical device, it can provide critical support for your recovery.

An Exactech knee replacement lawsuit may seek compensation for the following:

• Medical Expenses: This includes the cost of revision surgery, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care related to the failed implant.
• Lost Wages: If you had to miss work for surgery, recovery, or medical appointments, you may be compensated for the income you lost.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injury from the failed implant prevents you from returning to your previous job or earning the same level of income, you may be able to recover these future losses.
• Pain and Suffering: This compensates for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by the implant failure and subsequent medical treatments.

A dedicated legal team can help you document all your losses to build a comprehensive claim for the full amount of compensation you deserve.

How Exactech Lawsuits Are Being Handled: Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)

When thousands of people across the country file similar lawsuits against a single company for a defective product, the federal court system often uses a process called Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). An MDL centralizes all related cases before one judge to make the legal process more efficient.

The Exactech knee replacement lawsuits have been consolidated into an MDL in the Eastern District of New York. This does not mean you have to travel to New York to file your claim. You can still hire a lawyer in your local area, and your case will be filed and managed as part of this larger, coordinated effort.

Key aspects of an MDL include:

• Consolidated Discovery: Lawyers for both plaintiffs and the defendant share information and evidence in a streamlined way, saving time and resources.
• Bellwether Trials: A few representative cases are selected for trial. The outcomes of these “bellwether” trials can help both sides gauge the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments and often pave the way for a global settlement.
• Individual Settlements: Unlike a class action lawsuit, where everyone receives the same payout, each case in an MDL remains individual. If a settlement is reached, the amount you receive is based on the specific details and severity of your injuries and losses.

The MDL process is designed to handle complex litigation involving many people efficiently while still protecting each person’s right to an individual outcome.

Exactech Knee Replacement Litigation FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions patients have about the Exactech knee replacement lawsuit.

Discuss Your Case with Ferrer Poirot Feller Today

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a defective Exactech knee implant, you don’t have to face the consequences alone. Holding a multinational medical device company accountable requires knowledge, resources, and dedication. At Ferrer Poirot Feller, we have spent more than four decades fighting for people just like you.

Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. Let us put our experience to work for you and help you on the path to recovery. Contact us today at (214) 521-4412 or through our online form to get started.

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