Consumer Advocacy Group Wants Warranties on Medical Devices

 Posted on October 15, 2013 in Defective Medical Devices

The business of hip and knee implants is growing. It's not just baby boomers who need these implants, but the under 65 market is expanding as well. Estimates are that by 2030 when 4 million replacements will be put in, half of all patients will be under 65. Since people are getting replacements at a younger age, they will have these implants for a longer time.

Consumers Union, the advocacy side of Consumer Reports, has stated that since these people will have the implants longer, then they should be backed by a warranty. They feel that patients should know how long these replacements should last. It would also be good for patients to have a clear recourse if their devices fail. Now this advocacy group has asked manufacturers to provide warranties for their products which would have them replaced at no cost within the warranty period of 20 years.

The problem with these implants is that when they are defective, then the patients or insurance companies have to foot the bill. The costs are higher to get a new replacement hip or knee. The hospital stays are longer to rehab from revision surgery, to replace a replacement. Also, the revision surgeries often lead to more surgeries in the future.

That is not the only issues that occur when these replacement devices are defective. There have been recalls by all major replacement joint manufacturers in the last decade. These recalls are often started because metal fragments chip off of the devices and cause various medical conditions like an enlarged heart muscle, heart failure and other neurological disorders. The less deadly side effects include pain, discomfort, trouble walking or standing, and other bone fractures.

Another option for you if you had a defective medical device implanted is to seek compensation in a personal injury case. Contact an experienced defective medical device attorney in Chicago today.