Hip replacement recipient alleges negligence

A Louisiana man has sued a group of medical device manufacturers, alleging product negligence.

Robert Griffin filed a lawsuit April 22 in U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana against: Howmedica Osteonics, doing business as Stryker Orthopaedics; Stryker Corp.; Stryker Sales Corporation; and Stryker Ireland, citing liability over a 2010 operation.

According to the complaint, on April 10, 2012, Griffin was implanted with an artificial right hip at a Baton Rouge medical center. Experiencing pain and complications, he went to an emergency room April 22, 2014, when he first learned of a recall for his implant, the Stryker hip dystem, the suit states.

The lawsuit cites physical pain and suffering as a result of the device’s defective nature, manufacture and sale by the defendants. Griffin alleges he could not have known of the hip replacement’s hazards prior to the recall, or that he was potentially injured by the presence of metals and/or toxins in his system as an alleged result of the implant.

The plaintiff cites negligence, product liability, breach of warranty, deceptive trade practices, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.

Griffin seeks compensatory and statutory damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees, expenses and costs.

He is represented by attorneys Shawn Reed and Kyle Del Hierro of Covington.

U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana case number: 2:15-cv-01313-JCZ-MBN.