What the Lawsuits Allege
The bulk of hip implant litigation concerns metal-on-metal devices, in which a metal ball and metal socket rub together and shed tiny metal particles into surrounding tissue and the bloodstream. Plaintiffs allege this caused metallosis, or metal poisoning, along with tissue and bone damage, loosening, and early failure that forced painful revision surgery. The common legal claims are defective design, failure to warn about the metal-debris risk, and negligence.
These cases have involved most major orthopedic manufacturers, including the DePuy unit of Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Smith & Nephew, Zimmer Biomet, and Wright Medical, across several federal multidistrict litigations. The allegations are that the companies knew of the risks and continued selling the devices, claims the manufacturers have contested.
What Has Already Settled
A great deal of this litigation has already resolved, and the figures are large. Across the metal-on-metal cases, manufacturers have paid billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts over the years. DePuy resolved its ASR and Pinnacle cases for several billion dollars combined, Stryker reached settlements measured in the billions over its Rejuvenate, ABG II, and LFIT V40 components, and Wright Medical and Zimmer Biomet resolved large groups of cases as well.
Those are historical outcomes on specific devices, not a promise of any individual result. Several of the original MDLs have been wound down or closed to new filings, with only small numbers of cases remaining, so for many older metal-on-metal devices the main settlement programs have concluded.
What Is Still Active
Some threads remain open. The largest current hip and joint MDL involves Exactech, over premature wear of polyethylene liner components, though that litigation was paused after Exactech filed for bankruptcy, which complicates and slows recovery. More recently, Zimmer Biomet issued a 2024 recall of a hip system over a fracture risk, and new individual lawsuits over that device have been filed.
Because eligibility usually centers on having had revision surgery, and because deadlines vary by state and device, anyone who experienced a failure of a recalled or defective hip implant should get an individual assessment promptly. Which litigation, if any, applies depends heavily on the specific device and the timing.
How to Get Legal Help
If you or a family member fits the description here, a consultation with a lawyer who handles this specific litigation is the reliable next step. Deadlines vary and can be unforgiving, most of these firms offer a free review, and these cases are typically taken on contingency, so you pay nothing unless they recover for you.
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Hip Implant Lawsuit: The Metal-on-Metal Cases and Where They Stand: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this case and your legal options.
What do hip implant lawsuits allege?
Mostly that metal-on-metal devices shed metal debris causing metallosis, tissue and bone damage, loosening, and early failure that forced revision surgery, and that manufacturers failed to warn about the risk. The companies have contested the claims.
Which manufacturers have been sued?
Most major orthopedic makers, including the DePuy unit of Johnson & Johnson, Stryker, Smith & Nephew, Zimmer Biomet, and Wright Medical, across several federal multidistrict litigations.
Have hip implant cases settled?
Yes, extensively. Manufacturers have paid billions over the years, with DePuy resolving ASR and Pinnacle cases for several billion combined and Stryker settling its components for billions. These are historical results, not a promise of any individual outcome.
Is there still active hip implant litigation?
Yes. The largest current MDL involves Exactech over premature liner wear, though it was paused by Exactech bankruptcy, and new individual cases have been filed over a 2024 Zimmer Biomet recall. Many older metal-on-metal programs have wound down.
Do I qualify and is there a deadline?
Eligibility usually centers on having had revision surgery for a defective or recalled implant. Deadlines vary by state and device, so a prompt individual assessment is important, since which litigation applies depends on the specific device.