On October 7, 2022, more than 75 lawsuits filed against medical device manufacturer Exactech® were consolidated by the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JMPL), a federal agency created by an Act of Congress that oversees multidistrict litigation (MDL) procedures.
The announcement of the Exactech MDL follows a court hearing held in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 29, 2022. Exactech, a global manufacturer headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, agreed with the decision to allow patients to file these federal lawsuits under its new MDL status.
The Exactech implant recall impacts patients who underwent ankle, hip, and knee replacement surgeries. Their expected recovery developed into new physical injuries as a result of the faulty medical device implants. Exactech implants named in the lawsuits include select models of Optetrak®, Truliant®, and Vantage® products.
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Complaints highlighted in the Exactech litigation are from patients who must undergo corrective surgery to resolve new ailments caused by the implanted devices prematurely failing.
As decided by the JMPL, U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis, who currently serves in the Brooklyn-based Eastern District of New York, will preside over Exactech MDL cases.
To date, about 33% of these cases have been filed in the Brooklyn area, as Optetrak devices were originally produced at HSS Brooklyn hospital.
What Is the Exactech MDL?
Cases qualify for multidistrict litigation (MDL) when numerous lawsuits have been filed against one defendant over similar issues. For example, if thousands of people from all over the country file lawsuits against a single company complaining about the same few issues, then that case has the potential to become an MDL case.
MDL cases are managed by one designated judge chosen by the JMPL, so all such lawsuits are transferred to and managed within a centralized location regardless of where the plaintiffs or defendants reside.
Since so many lawsuits have already been filed against Exactech for issues regarding side effects from implanted medical devices, the JMPL now allows these cases to be handled by one judge in one court.
About the Exactech Implant Recall
In August 2021, the United States Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of approximately 200,000 Exactech ankle, hip, and knee replacement implants that were unexpectedly causing additional harm to the patients who had received them.
The recall decision was finalized in response to patients whose implants had loosened inside their bodies, causing tremendous physical pain. In fact, many patients were ordered by their doctors to undergo a revision surgery to correct the medical mistake.
These recalled Exactech ankle and knee replacement products include:
Optetrak®
- All-polyethylene CR Tibial Components
- All-polyethylene PS Tibial Components
- CR Tibial Inserts
- CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- PS Tibial Inserts
- HI-FLEX® PS Tibial Inserts
- CR Tibial Inserts
- CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- CRC Tibial Inserts
- PS Tibial Inserts
- PSC Tibial Inserts
- CC Tibial Inserts
Truliant®
- CR Tibial Inserts
- CR Slope Tibial Inserts
- CRC Tibial Inserts
- PS Tibial Inserts
- PSC Tibial Inserts
Vantage®
- Fixed-Bearing Liner Component
Exactech Connexion GXL liners used in the following hip replacement products have also been recalled:
- Exactech Acumatch®
- Exactech MCS®
- Exactech Novation®
Am I Eligible to File an Exactech Lawsuit?
If you received an Exactech ankle, hip, or knee replacement and suffered side effects from a faulty implant, you may be eligible to file an Exactech lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Potential side effects include:
- Clicking, grinding, or popping sounds
- Inability to lift heavy objects
- Instability in the knee, ankle, or hip
- Joint dislocation
- New or worsening pain
- Osteolysis (bone degeneration)
- Swelling
If these side effects caused you to have revision surgery, or if you need to undergo this type of surgery and have already scheduled it, this also indicates that the device implanted originally was defective.
Qualifying for this corrective surgery may help qualify you for financial compensation.
Call (800) 995-1212 now for a free case review to determine your eligibility to file an Exactech lawsuit.
Medical Device Lawyers at Sokolove Law
As a national law firm with more than 40 years of experience, Sokolove Law is ready to help you seek compensation for the harm done to you by Exactech implants.
We have represented clients in all 50 states for various legal matters, and have successfully recovered more than $9.3 Billion on behalf of those seeking justice.
Our medical device lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they only get paid if you receive compensation. This helps our clients who are navigating difficult situations to have peace of mind about their legal bills. There are no surprise fees, hidden costs, or out-of-pocket expenses to partner with us to file an Exactech lawsuit.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Our staff is available 24/7 to answer your questions and assist you through your legal journey.
