Defective hip implant results in lawsuit against orthopedic group

GRETNA – A woman who claims she had a hip implant surgically installed is suing after it allegedly was found to be defective.

Linda Simpson, and husband George, filed suit against Westside Orthopaedic Clinic in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 17.

Simpson alleges that she underwent hip implant surgery  at Westside Orthopaedic Clinic in November 2008. The plaintiff claims that in May 2010 she underwent a revision surgery to take out the implant and that only a few months later on Aug. 26, 2010 the manufacturer of the hip implant, DePuy Orthopedics, issued a nationwide recall of the defective hip implant. Simpson asserts Westside was a bad faith seller and failed to disclose that they received financial incentives to sell her the DePuy hip implant after the complaints of failure in the devices were already published.

The plaintiff alleges that she was encouraged to use the defective implant and was not told of other options that may have been more appropriate.

The defendant is accused of medical malpractice.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, emotional pain and suffering, substantial lost income, loss of earning capacity, disability, damage to marital relationship, loss of health insurance coverage, medical care, replacement of the defective product and medical monitoring.

Simpson is represented by Kevin P. Riche of New Orleans-based John D. Sileo LLC.

The case has been assigned to Division L Judge Donald A. Rowan Jr.

Case no. 734-721.