Ankle, knee, and hip replacement surgeries are major medical procedures performed to reduce pain in the related area. In most cases, these joint replacement surgeries work effectively to minimize physical pain and increase mobility. Sometimes, though, there are complications related to the surgical process or the materials used in the surgery.
For example, Exactech recalled certain Exactech brand ankle, hip, and knee replacements due to several potential health issues related to the devices failing and prematurely breaking down. These side effects are often excruciating, and the revision surgery required to replace or repair the devices can be very expensive.
That’s why Dixon Injury Firm works with numerous clients to pursue compensation for the pain, suffering, and medical expenses associated with Exactech devices.
Contact us today to learn more about what it takes to file an Exactech lawsuit by speaking to a product liability attorney about your case.
Our law firm regularly obtains six and seven-figure settlements and verdicts for our injured clients, and we are not hesitant to go up against large manufacturing corporations. We have the experience and resources to stand up for you.
Exactech Lawsuits
Exactech lawsuits are product liability cases fought by anyone injured by Exactech products—most specifically recalled knee, ankle, and hip implants. When one of these products causes injury, people have the choice to hire lawyers to file a product liability case on their behalf. If a defective product is the cause of injury, plaintiffs are typically due compensation for related damages.
These product liability lawsuits can help injured persons claim compensation for medical bills, lost future income, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Under some circumstances, a spouse can also claim monetary damages for loss of companionship. To find out the value of your Exactech lawsuit, get in touch with an attorney who can help you learn more about Exactech lawsuits for knee, ankle & hip implant injuries.
Exactech Product Recalls
Victims of defective Exactech ankle, knee, and hip replacement devices may have received recall letters from their doctors or other health care providers. These letters explain the sweeping recall of many Exactech products with a defective plastic insert that causes the devices to fail prematurely.
People who have had Exactech devices surgically implanted and experienced an early failure might file a product liability lawsuit against Exactech to recover financial compensation.
Defective Exactech Products
In August of 2021, Exactech announced a massive recall of their knee and ankle arthroplasty polyethylene inserts. The products have been in use since 2004, and more than 140,000 people have had these inserts implanted. Exactech issued the recall following the discovery that it had packed the polyethylene insert components of every system made after 2004 in ineffective vacuum-seal bags.
This inadequate packaging caused the oxidation of the polyethylene insert materials. This oxidation led to specific components degrading over time.
The products this issue affected include:
Optetrak®
- Optetrak® Unicondylar Tibial Components
- Optetrak® All-polyethylene CR Tibial Components
- Optetrak® All-polyethylene PS Tibial Components
- Optetrak® B-Series Ps Tibial Insert
- Optetrak® CC Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak® CR Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak® CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak® PS Tibial Inserts
- Custom Optetrak® Angled PS Insert
- Custom Optetrak® CC Tibial Insert
- Optetrak® Hi-Flex® PS Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak “Momb” Non-Mod Molded Insert
- Optetrak® RBK PS Tibial Components
Optetrak Logic®
- Optetrak Logic® CR Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak Logic® CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak Logic® CRC Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak Logic® PS Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak Logic® PSC Tibial Inserts
- Optetrak Logic® CC Tibial Inserts
Truliant®
- Truliant® CR Tibial Inserts
- Truliant® CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- Truliant® CRC Tibial Inserts
- Truliant® PS Tibial Inserts
- Truliant® PSC Tibial Inserts
Vantage®
- Vantage® Fixed-Bearing Liner Component
In addition, Exactech issued recalls for several orthopedic hip-implant components due to similar issues.
These products include:
- Exactech Acumatch®
- Exactech MCS®
- Exactech Novation®
FDA Recalls Exactech Ankle, Hip, and Knee Replacement
The Exactech product recalls reflected a decision made by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This organization ensures that products sold and distributed in the U.S. are safe for human consumption and use. Because these products were defective, the FDA ordered a recall.
Exactech Implant Side Effects
The FDA reported several health issues related to the recalled Exactech devices.
Some common side effects include:
- Clicking
- Grinding
- Popping
- Dislocations
- Inability to bear reasonable weight
- Pain
- Bone degeneration
- Premature wear
- Device failure
- Swelling
In many cases, these side effects require removing or replacing the devices via revision surgery. This surgical replacement is a costly process, and the burden shouldn’t fall onto the victims. Contact Dixon Injury Firm today to get help recovering compensation for your damages.
Who Can File an Exactech Lawsuit?
Many people are unknowingly eligible to file an Exactech lawsuit.
If you or a loved one meet the following criteria, you may seek compensation through the courts:
- You received an Exactech hip, knee, or ankle replacement
- You have suffered side effects from the implant
- Your surgeon has told you that revision surgery is necessary to fix the implant
Even if you have suffered an injury from an Exactech replacement device and need revision surgery, you are not automatically eligible for compensation. Most victims, therefore, choose to work with a lawyer to have their claims processed through the courts. Contact one of our esteemed medical device lawyers to help you navigate the legal process when you are ready.
How Do You File an Exactech Lawsuit?
If you decide to work with Dixon Injury Firm, your Exactech attorney will handle every step of the legal process on your behalf. This delegation allows you to focus on recovery during this challenging period of your life.
Every case is different, but the legal process typically proceeds like this when you work with a product liability attorney from Dixon Injury Law:
Determining Eligibility
Before submitting your claim, your lawyers must verify that you are eligible to file. During the case review process, we assess your claim to determine if your case has the potential to be successful. Case reviews are free, so there is no upfront cost involved with learning whether you have the opportunity to claim compensation.
Gathering Evidence
Evidence is needed to prove that liability for your injuries falls on Exactech. There are different kinds of evidence, but we will primarily search for medical records that show the progression of your injuries. We can build a solid case proving that your injuries arose due to a defective Exactech device through this evidence.
Filing the Lawsuit
Once all of the pieces are in place, it is time to file the lawsuit. This process must finish within a specific timeframe known as the statute of limitations. If you wait to file, the statute of limitations may expire, leaving you unable to pursue the compensation you rightfully deserve. Contact a lawyer today to ensure that this doesn’t happen.
Pursuing Full Compensation
Depending on the circumstances of your case, Exactech may offer you a settlement to avoid a trial. Call us to ensure the settlement will cover all of your injuries. We rarely recommend that our clients take the liable party’s first offer. You need a little patience to recover the maximum possible damages from your Exactech lawsuit.
Exactech Lawsuit Settlements and Verdicts
Exactech lawsuits can provide compensation in one of two forms; settlements and verdicts. Here is more about each:
Exactech Settlements
When you and your legal team reach agreeable terms outside of a trial, you recover compensation in a settlement. Commonly settlements only occur when you and the device manufacturer agree on specific compensation for your damages. Sometimes companies settle to avoid a costly trial, making it possible to claim significant compensation sooner than you think.
Exactech Verdicts
When you cannot settle outside of court, your case will continue to trial in court. In court, a judge and jury will hear your case, and the jury or judge will decide on a verdict. The outcome of the trial is called the verdict. The verdict dictates the amount of compensation for your claim. Although we cannot guarantee success in the trial process, our attorneys have the experience and knowledge needed to litigate your case effectively.
Types of Compensation in Exactech Lawsuits
Defective products can cause severe injuries to victims. If you or a loved one suffered injuries caused by a defective product, such as Exactech replacement devices, you might wonder what level of compensation you might deserve.
Here is some of the compensation available in Exactech lawsuits:
Compensatory Damages
In a product liability claim, you can claim compensatory damages to seek reimbursement or compensation for harm suffered by the victim. There are two categories of compensatory damages—economic and non-economic.
Economic damages
Economic damages are calculated based on the dollar value of expenses associated with an injury caused by the defective product or products.
Some economic damage types include:
- Medical costs – This expense includes bills from hospitals, doctors, therapists, and other health care providers. It also provides for the cost of prescription and over-the-counter medications and travel costs related to trips to and from medical appointments. The costs include future medical treatments if required to treat your injury.
- Lost wages – Sometimes, injuries leave the victims unable to work and earn income. Through your Exactech claim, you can recover compensation for lost income due to time off work, lost revenue and business profits, and lost earning capacity due to injuries that result in permanent disability.
- Property damage – If a product damaged your property due to a defect, you can recover compensation for repair/replacement costs. Though medical device lawsuits often don’t involve property damage claims, it is still a good idea to have a product liability attorney from Dixon Injury Firm examine your case. This way, they can be prepared to take the proper legal action on your behalf.
Non-Economic damages
Courts calculated non-economic damages differently than economic damages because there is no specific dollar amount attached to them.
Some of these non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering – Physical pain and suffering are the most common non-economic damages claimed through product liability lawsuits. Injuries typically cause pain, making it easy to claim these damages.
- Mental anguish – The mental suffering associated with an unwarranted injury can be overwhelming. That’s why lawyers seek to recover monetary damages related to your mental anguish.
- Loss of consortium – If an injury leaves you unable to participate in everyday tasks like taking care of children, you qualify for loss of consortium damages.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – Some injuries cause constant pain, making it difficult to enjoy your life. This pain can be a significant burden. Therefore a lawyer can help you recover monetary damages related to this loss of enjoyment.
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement – If you are permanently disfigured or have scars, that can lower your quality of life. Depending on your disfigurement and scarring, you can claim more money.
Choosing the Right Exactech Lawyer
Chris Dixon & Greg Motil, Exactech Lawsuit for Knee, Ankle & Hip Implant Injuries
While Exactech cases may seem cut and dry, they are relatively complex. It may seem easy to win your case, but that doesn’t mean that claiming maximum compensation will be simple.
That’s why you need to recruit the most experienced and knowledgeable lawyer possible. The right legal team behind you makes success more likely – so choose Dixon Injury Firm to handle your case. Our established legal professionals have a proven track record in helping injured victims claim reasonable compensation.
To get started with a free consultation, contact us right away. Our product liability attorneys are here to answer all of your questions, collect evidence, and start an investigation on your behalf. Do not represent yourself when injured by a defective medical product. There is too much at stake.
Call the Dixon Injury Firm at (314) 208-2808 or contact us online for your free claim evaluation today.
The Dixon Injury Firm
9666 Olive Blvd #202,
St. Louis, MO 63132
Phone: (314) 208-2808
Client Reviews
I highly recommend Chris Dixon to anyone dealing with a personal injury case. He was there every step of the way, he was prompt and easy to get a hold of at any time during this process. He is very educated and highly skilled in his field and helped me receive the best medical attention possible. If you’re looking for the best personal injury in St. Louis, look no further. Chris Dixon, in my eyes, is the best!
– Ryan B.