In September 2001, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the public that Biomet and seven other firms that manufacture medical devices in the United States conducted a recall of their hip implants. This product withdrawal from the market was caused by the problems found on a component of the hip implant that could fracture and result in the need for another surgical replacement. The component that was found defective was the femoral head of the hip implant that was made of zirconia ceramic. This is the ball portion of the synthetic hips that are used in surgeries for hip replacements.

St. Gobain Desmarquest of France was the distributor of this defective femoral head. This femoral head was contained in all products for Biomet hip replacements and seven other manufacturers of medical products, including DePuy Orthopedics Inc., Zimmer Inc., Smith & Nephew Inc., Apex Surgical LLC, Osteoimplant Technology Inc., Stryker Howmedica Osteonics and Encore Orthopedics Inc. The recall of all the hip implants with the femoral head that were made out of zirconia ceramic from all these manufacturers applies to those that were made after January of 1998.

A recipient of a hip implant that had a femoral head made of zirconia ceramic would know that the component was fractured when he displayed symptoms that included a grinding sensation at the hip, hip pain, or limited motion. An audible popping noise sometimes occurred before the fracturing of the femoral head. The synthetic hips that are at risk for these femoral head fractures tend to break 19 to 28 months after they are surgically implanted. An estimated six percent of the 150,000 to 200,000 patients that undergo surgeries for hip replacements every year receive a synthetic hip that contains these defective femoral heads.

It is likely that you were a recipient of one of these hip implants with the defective femoral head if you underwent a surgery that used a Biomet hip replacement. If this is so, and you are currently suffering from possible fracture symptoms, contact a lawyer. A lawyer who is experienced in defective medical devices will be able to give you the answers that you will want about your defective hip implant. He will also be the one to evaluate if you have the grounds to file a claim against Biomet. Should your doctor tell you that the femoral head on your hip implant is fractured, then your lawyer will help you in filing a personal injury claim against the responsible party. The claim will entitle you to receive compensation that will cover f your pain and suffering, as well as reimburse the medical expenses that were incurred because of your injury.

A compassionate lawyer will see to it that you get the maximum compensation that you deserve. A dedicated lawyer will stand by you through the tedious process of court litigation to get the financial retribution that will compensate for all that you went through. You won't even have to worry about money at the onset of getting a lawyer because there are many lawyers who will not charge you for the initial evaluation of your case as well as for the services they render during the lengthy litigation. You will only be charged when you have already received the compensation accorded to you by the court.

It is best that you contact a lawyer as soon as you know of your injuries because there are statutes of limitations in every state that restricts the filing of personal injury claims after a period of time. Usually, personal injury claims must be filed within two years after the injuries were sustained.