St. Louis Injury Lawyer Blog

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking a closer look at metal hip replacement implants after the recall of the DePuy hip replacement system, the Wall Street Journal reports.

St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney Ryan R. Cox is assisting clients who are suffering pain, immobility or the need to endure a second surgery as a result of having a defective hip implant. In some cases the medical risks and complications may go beyond the need to have a second surgery and can include the risk of metal shavings in soft tissue and blood contamination.

Unfortunately, FDA approval is failing to protect the public in an increasing number of cases. Pharmaceuticals or medical devices are too often undergoing clinical trials in third-world countries. And the FDA relies upon the research of device and drug makers to deem a product safe. In other cases, the government has been accused of letting campaign contributions and politics interfere with the process. In still others, doctors are paid by device and drug makers to promote and use the products, sometimes to the detriment of the patient.

The Wall Street Journal reports problems with the DePuy hip came to light after an investigation in the United Kingdom. The FDA has now began an investigation into whether other hip-replacement systems with metal parts may be defective. The investigation in this country was launched after several American companies, including Johnson & Johnson, reported poor sales of hip systems containing metal.

Zimmer Holdings, Inc. suspended sale of a metal hip cup called Durom in mid-2008 after reports of the cup loosening. The company blames surgeons. DePuy recalled its ASR all-metal hip system in August after the U.K. reported a high rate of repeat procedures.

Once composing about one-third of the U.S. market, all-metal hip-replacement systems have been waning in popularity as hips made of other materials come on the market. Each system has benefits and drawbacks that may suit an individual patient.

However, the metal systems have also been linked to metal shavings in nearby tissue and may be linked to problems associated with the thyroid and metal in the blood.

The President of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons said the metal systems work well in a "significant majority" of cases but there have been some "concerning exceptions."

The Wall Street Journal reports he has also received royalties from DePuy.

Continue reading "Defective DePuy ASR Hip may illustrate risk of metal hip implants " »

Federal investigators are looking into a fatal St. Louis work accident that claimed the life of a forklift operator, St. Louis Today reported.

A St. Louis wrongful death attorney should always be consulted when an employee is killed on the job. The outcome of the investigation by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration will be one factor in determining who may be responsible for the accident.

Those injured or killed on the job may be covered by the state's workers' compensation laws. In other cases, particularly when a third-party is at fault, a wrongful death lawsuit may also be warranted.

In this case, the 53-year-old forklift operator was fatally injured at the Supervalu Distribution Center when he was thrown from the forklift and hit his head. A witness said he heard a commotion and was hit by falling boxes of Campbell's soup. He reported seeing the victim being thrown into a railing, before his head hit the floor. Investigators are also looking at the maintenance records on the forklift.

The victim was reportedly coherent after the accident but was taken to the hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries. A representative said it may have been the first fatal accident at the warehouse in more than 25 years.

OSHA offers the following safety tips when working around lift trucks:

-Watch hands and feet and stay clear of pinch points.

-Keep head inside the overhead guard, which is meant to protect the operator from falling objects.

-Keep hands and feet inside the truck at all times.

-Make sure the lift trucks are properly maintained.

-Receive proper training and understand the function of your lift truck before operation.

Continue reading "Man killed in St. Louis forklift accident; Heavy machinery common cause of fatal injuries" »