Exactech Implant Lawsuits
NGRV attorneys Daniel Nigh and Ashleigh Raso work extensively on the Exactech lawsuit. Exactech is a multinational medical device manufacturer that designs and manufactures orthopedic medical devices. Recently, Exactech recalled several thousand hips, knee, and ankle polyethylene inserts.
In the Exactech lawsuits, patients allege that faulty hip implants caused severe injuries and complications. In other instances, the company has been accused of engaging in deceptive marketing practices to increase product sales.
Despite these controversies, Exactech has remained a major player in the medical device industry. Some other key players that have received lawsuits for their faulty joint replacement products are Zimmer and Stryker.
If an Exactech ankle, knee, or hip replacement has harmed you or a loved one, you may be able to obtain reimbursement for your medical expenses, lost income, and other monetary or non-monetary losses. Contact the experienced Exactech lawyers at Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn today at 202-792-7927 to discuss your legal rights and options related to your recalled Exactech implant.
What Are the Exactech Joint Replacement Products?
Exactech, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Florida, designs, develops and markets orthopedic implant products and related instrumentation, including polyethylene liners. The company’s product line includes a range of hip, knee, and ankle replacement systems.
Exactech’s orthopedic devices are designed to help patients with knee, hip, and ankle pain and limited mobility due to osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other degenerative joint conditions.
However, in the past few years, numerous patients have claimed that joint replacement products are defective. Exactech eventually recalled their polyethylene liners due to packaging flaws that exposed the plastic components to oxygen before they were implanted. This defect caused complications for the patients, such as resilient pain and the need for premature revision surgeries.
On the 30th of August 2021, Exactech decided to recall thousands of products manufactured and used after 2004 since the allegations of its faulty hip and knee implants started to increase.
Which Exactech Products Have Been Recalled?
In June and August 2021 and February 2022, there were more than 200,000 recalls of Exactech products. The FDA has classified the Exactech recalls as a class II recall, which means that exposure to the Exactech products may result in temporary health problems or effects that should be treated by a medical professional.
The comprehensive but non-exhaustive list of the knee, ankle, and hip replacement products made by Exactech and recalled by the FDA are listed below:
- Optetrak®
- All-polyethylene CR Tibial Components
- All-polyethylene PS Tibial Components
- All-polyethylene UNI Tibial Components
- HI-FLEX PS Polyethylene Tibial Inserts
- CR Tibial Inserts
- CR Tibial Slope + Insert
- CR Tibial Slope ++ Insert
- PS Tibial Inserts
- “MOMB” Non-Mod Molded Insert
- CC Tibial Insert
- B-Series PS Tibial Insert
- Optetrak® Logic
- Logic PS Tibial Inserts
- Logic PSC Tibial Inserts
- Logic CR Tibial Inserts
- Logic RBK PS Tibial Components
- Logic CR Slope + Tibial Inserts
- Logic CR Slope ++ Tibial Inserts
- Logic CRC Tibial Inserts
- Logic CC Tibial Inserts
- Truliant®
- CR Tibial Inserts;
- CR Slope + Tibial Inserts;
- CR Slope ++ Tibial Inserts;
- CRC Tibial Inserts;
- PS Tibial Inserts;
- PSC Tibial Inserts
- Vantage®
- Vantage Fixed-Bearing Polyethylene Liner Component
- Vantage Mobile-Bearing Polyethylene Liner Component
You can find a detailed list of all Exactech implants that have been recalled at Exactech’s webpage on all of the implants that they have had to recall. You can also insert your Exactech implant serial number to see if your implant is affected by the product recall.
If you have been affected by a recalled Exactech product, you must contact a qualified personal injury lawyer to discuss your rights. Our experienced lawyers would assist you in going through your medical records and certify fast and effectively if any of these recalled products were used in your joint replacement surgery.
What Are the Symptoms of Defective Exactech Joint Replacement Product?
Some common symptoms reported from patients that underwent joint replacement surgery with the assistance of defective Exactech implants are the following:
1. Revision Surgery
Some patients will have to undergo revision surgery to replace the defective liner. Revision surgery can be painful and costly.
2. Pain
The most common symptom reported is severe and consistent pain. The pain may be localized to the joint or it may radiate to other parts of the body.
3. Swelling
Swelling in the area where the product has been implanted is a potential sign of infection.
4. Decreased Range of Motion
A faulty product can restrict joint motion and cause severe pain when extending the area.
5. Loosening of the Implant
The gradual loosening of the implant can lead to pain and difficulty moving the joint.
6. Instability
A faulty implant can cause the joint to feel unstable or give way, leading to falls or other injuries.
If you are facing any of those symptoms, it is critical to get in touch with our lawyers, who will guide you in taking the proper steps against Exactech.
Exactech Lawsuit Updates
Below, we will go into the detailing of the initial lawsuits, the recall of the products, and the decision to centralize an MDL due to the numerous cases.
June 2021
Exactech issued a product safety alert regarding the clinical performance of its Connexion GXL hip systems’ polyethylene liner.
August 2021
Exactech initiated a massive recall of launched knee and ankle arthroplasty polyethylene inserts. The recall affected specific labels, out in the market since 2004 and with a particular shelf life. Such devices were packaged in non-standard vacuum bags that are oxygen resistant but lack an ethylene vinyl alcohol secondary oxygen barrier.
February 2022
Exactech recalled all launched knee and ankle arthroplasty polyethylene inserts – no exceptions.
Exactech provided orthopedic surgeons a template letter to notify patients about the recall. Exactech has yet to make further efforts to reach out to patients besides providing this sample patient letter to the surgeons. Until then, thousands of patients were unaware that the component used in their joint replacement surgery was officially recalled due to complications.
September 2022
Plaintiffs moved the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (the “JPML”) to consider centralizing the federal lawsuits into a mass action MDL.
At the same time, 54 cases were filed in the Florida state court, which led to a consolidation of a state court litigation process under Judge Donna M. Keim in the Eighth Judicial Circuit for Alachua County, Florida.
Judge Keim announced the first lawsuit to go before a jury on November 6, 2023– acting as a bellwether trial for thousands of lawsuits filed at this point.
October 2022
Exactech lawsuits from all over the country have been approved for consolidation into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) case – a legal procedure for bringing related federal court cases together for coordinated pretrial proceedings.
When the MDL was signed, 75 cases were pending in federal courts. Multi-plaintiff groups are filing several of these new cases. Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis is set to preside over the litigation, centralized in the Eastern District of New York.
November 2022
The judge officially approved the selection of several lawyers to various positions on the plaintiffs’ litigation leadership committees.
Judge Garaufis expresses the need to catch up with the speed of the state court litigations in the initial status conference held this month.
Alongside the 54 state court lawsuits in Florida, 88 cases are pending in federal courts against Exactech.
December 2022
A rapid increase in the federal lawsuits filed under the centralized mass action MDL in New York (111 cases as of December 15, 2022)
January 2023
Exactech pushes for official coordination and consolidation of federal and state court litigations.
CM_ECF for JPML (LIVE)-JPML Litigation Statistics by MDL (uscourts.gov)
Am I Entitled to Sue Exactech for Their Defective Joint Replacement Products?
If you believe an Exactech defective joint replacement product has harmed you, you should consult an attorney to see if you have a viable legal claim. An attorney can go over the details of your case and advise you on the best course of action.
It’s also worth noting that the time limit for filing a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations, varies depending on where you live and the nature of the claim. Consequently, if you believe you have a legal claim, you must act quickly.
Lastly, having been subjected to revision surgery due to a defective product manufactured by Exactech is strong and viable evidence that will assist your case.
However, since this is not a necessary prerequisite to take legal action, the best decision is to speak to an attorney who will file your lawsuit after hearing all the specifics regarding your personal experience with Exactech.
When Should I Expect My Lawsuit against Exactech to Settle?
It is critical to understand that the litigation process can be lengthy and unpredictable, and cases can take several years to resolve. It is also still being determined whether your lawsuit will be settled or must go to trial. What is the distinction between the two?
A settlement is an agreement between two parties to resolve a dispute at any stage of the litigation process, including before a lawsuit is filed, during the discovery phase, or even on the eve of the trial.
In contrast, going on trial entails presenting the case to a judge or jury, who will then make a decision based on the evidence presented by each side.
Trials can be time-consuming and expensive, and the outcome is unpredictable because it is in the hands of the jury. Settlements are frequently viewed as a method of avoiding the time and cost of going to trial, but they are not always possible, and a trial may be required to resolve a dispute in some cases.
No matter the means of finding the justice you deserve, our law firm ensures that neither route will be costly to you since we are getting paid only if you get paid for the outcome. Do not hesitate to contact us now so that you can better understand what to expect when filing your case.
How Much Is My Exactech Lawsuit Worth?
Several factors can influence compensation in a product liability lawsuit. These can include the extent of the suffered injuries or damages, the severity of the product’s defect, the manufacturer’s level of fault or negligence, the cost of medical treatment or other damages, and any loss of income or earning capacity.
Other considerations may include the plaintiff’s age, the impact of the injuries on their quality of life, and any pre-existing conditions. The laws and legal precedents in the jurisdiction where the case is being heard can also influence the amount of compensation.
You should discuss your specific situation with an attorney or legal representative. They will be able to provide you with more in-depth and accurate information about your options and potential outcomes.
Get Help From Our Exactech Lawyers to Receive the Compensation You Deserve
If you or a loved one suffered from a faulty Exactech implant, contact Nigh Goldenberg Raso & Vaughn law firm today at 202-792-7927. We will guide you through the whole process of filing a lawsuit, and any fees will apply if and when you get compensated for the harm done to you. Contact us today to get a free case evaluation.
