Attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers
Practice Areas: Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Bad Faith Insurance, Car Accidents, T-Bone Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Dangerous Drugs
Thousands of patients received Stryker’s metal-on-metal hip implants, hoping for relief. Instead, many experienced pain, device failure, and the need for revision surgery. The Rejuvenate and ABG II models were later recalled for safety issues.
Stryker agreed to a $1 billion settlement to resolve related lawsuits. If you’re still facing complications, you may have legal options. This guide explains what happened and what steps injured patients can take now.
Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip implants were designed to provide better joint stability and reduce dislocations. But by 2012, the company issued a voluntary recall after patients and doctors reported early failure of the devices.
In 2012, Stryker voluntarily recalled its Rejuvenate and ABG II modular-neck hip stems after reports of corrosion and tissue damage. U.S. Food & Drug Administration
These implants were made with metal components that, over time, began to rub together and corrode. This releases tiny metal particles into surrounding tissue and the bloodstream. The result was inflammation, tissue damage, and a condition called metallosis, which often required painful and costly revision surgery.
In November 2014, Stryker agreed to a large-scale settlement of over $1 billion to compensate thousands of patients affected by its defective implants.
More than 20,000 lawsuits were filed against Stryker for its recalled implants, leading to a $1.4 billion settlement agreement to resolve claims.
This settlement covered patients who needed revision surgery before a specific cutoff date. It provided compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Although the settlement helped many people, some patients who developed problems after the original deadline may still have legal options, depending on when their symptoms appeared.
Most hip replacement surgeries are successful. But with recalled Stryker devices, complications became common.
These included:
Metallosis occurs when metallic debris from a failing implant builds up in soft tissues and the bloodstream, often requiring urgent revision surgery.
These symptoms are often a warning sign of implant failure. Many patients required a second operation, known as revision surgery, in order to swap out the faulty device for a safer one.
It’s essential to understand the difference between product liability and medical malpractice. Most Stryker hip replacement lawsuits fall under product liability, not malpractice.
If a device is defective in design or manufacturing, the company that made it can be held responsible. In contrast, malpractice applies when a doctor makes a preventable error during surgery. In these cases, the implant itself wasn’t the problem—the medical care was.
Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for product liability claims is two years from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered. Oklahoma Statutes §12-95)
Because of this time limit, patients need to act quickly once they learn of complications related to their implant.
Several factors affect how much compensation a person may receive in a hip replacement lawsuit. These include the severity of the injury, the need for revision surgery, and the long-term impact on daily life.
Factor | Explanation |
| Revision Surgery | Patients needing revision surgery may receive higher compensation. |
| Extent of Complications | Severe cases involving systemic issues like metallosis may qualify for more. |
| Long-Term Impact | Ongoing pain, mobility loss, or disability often increase the claim’s value. |
| Time Since Implant | Recent complications may still fall within legal deadlines. |
| Medical Costs | Includes both past and future treatment expenses. |
| Lost Wages | Income loss due to extended recovery or permanent impairment. |
Even if you weren’t part of the original Stryker settlement, you may still qualify to take legal action if:
Legal options may also be available for patients with other recalled implants or those who received improper follow-up care. A product liability attorney can review your case and explain whether it meets Oklahoma’s deadlines and legal standards.
There’s no fixed payout. Settlements vary based on injury severity, medical costs, and long-term complications.
Metallosis is metal poisoning caused by friction in metal-on-metal implants, leading to pain, tissue damage, and possible revision surgery.
Most Stryker cases are product liability claims, not malpractice, since the device itself was defective—not the surgery.
It depends on when your symptoms began. In Oklahoma, the limit is typically two years from when the problem was discovered.
It refers to pre-settlement loans some companies offer to plaintiffs. These should be considered carefully due to fees and repayment risks.
Yes. An attorney can help gather records, prove liability, and pursue fair compensation through settlement or trial.
Stryker’s recalled hip implants have caused long-term harm for many people. While some victims have already received compensation, others may still be eligible—especially if complications appeared later or revision surgery became necessary more recently.
If you suspect your implant has failed or caused health issues, it’s essential to understand your rights and seek legal advice. The legal team at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers has experience with complex product liability cases and works with injured patients to hold manufacturers accountable.
When injury victims need a law firm with a reputation for excellence, turn to Graves McLain Injury Lawyers. We are a top-rated personal injury firm determined to be the best. With decades of award-winning representation, our clients recover the compensation they need to put their lives back together.
