Ontario Hip Implant Injury Lawyers
As the body ages, the hips may become weaker and sustain damage that requires surgical intervention. Hip implant surgery is a very common procedure. In one recent year alone, there were more than 63,000 hip replacements performed nationwide. More than half of those patients were over the age of 75.
People may need hip implants for a number of reasons. These could include ongoing medical conditions such as osteoarthritis, or acute injuries caused by blunt force trauma. Most commonly, seniors require hip implant surgery to aid in their recovery from slip and fall accidents. When traumatic accidents occur, the victim’s bones, joints, and/or cartilage within the hips may be damaged, causing pain and preventing optimal movement.
During hip implant surgery, the damaged parts of a patient’s natural hip are replaced with artificial parts. These are often made of ceramic, metal, or hard plastics.
Hip implant surgery is generally considered to be a low-risk procedure. Unfortunately, in some cases, hip implants can cause unwanted side effects such as blood clots, fractures, or infections. The lasting effects of a hip implant injury can impact an individual’s everyday life in profound ways. In addition to suffering from intense, chronic pain, people often incur substantial financial losses related to medical expenses, lifestyle adjustments, lost wages, and more.
Surgical errors are rare in Canada, but they do happen. If you believe you have been injured as a result of a medical professional’s negligence, our Ontario hip implant injury lawyers may be able to help you file a medical malpractice claim against them.
Hip implant injuries are often the result of defective products. The construction of plastic joints used in implant surgeries might be defective or wrongfully assembled, leading to severe pain and discomfort. Furthermore, the use of metal-on-metal hip replacements has been shown to cause soft tissue damage in a number of patients, which led to a nationwide recall.
If you sustained compensable injuries as the result of an error during hip implant surgery, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our Ontario hip implant injury lawyers for a free initial consultation.
Impacts of a Hip Implant Injury
Hip implant surgery is meant to improve the quality of life for patients experiencing ongoing pain and/or impaired mobility. Unfortunately, sometimes the implant itself can lead to a worsening of those conditions.
Because the injury is internal, it may be difficult to discern whether one is experiencing regular side effects of an invasive surgical procedure, or if they have sustained serious injuries.
Common symptoms of complications from hip implant surgeries include:
- Pain in and around the surgical area (hip, groin, legs)
- Cracking or crunching sounds in the hip area
- Hip joint swelling
- A noticeable limp
- Pain and/or difficulty rising from sitting or lying down
- Pain and/or difficulty in moving
Injuries associated with hip implants can include:
- Blood clots
- Infection
- Fractures
- Dislocation
- Aseptic loosening
- Nerve damage
- Bone dissolution
- Pseudo-tumors
- Damage to bones and tissues
- Blood poisoning
Treatment for hip implant injuries often requires revision surgery. The damaged or defective implants may, therefore, need to be replaced with newer parts. According to a recent report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, more than 30% of revision surgeries were the result of infections caused by prosthetic joints.
Revision surgery is often more intensive than the initial procedure, and frequently leads to longer periods of hospitalization. Physicians may order blood tests, X-rays, and MRIs to help pinpoint the precise nature of the issue, which can help the success of the surgery. Even with well-laid plans, the consequences of the initial injury can often make revisions a more complicated, and thereby riskier, procedure.
In the long term, a hip implant injury may lead to a range of issues including chronic pain, depression, and a severe decline in a patient’s overall quality of life.
How an Ontario Hip Implant Injury Lawyer May Be Able to Help
Patients suffering from injuries caused by hip implant surgery often experience profound physical and psychological pain, as well as substantial monetary losses. The cost of medical bills, including physical rehabilitation and mobility assistive devices, can add up quickly. As most patients requiring this form of surgery are senior citizens, many of whom may be living on fixed incomes, the required medical expenses alone could cause them legitimate financial distress. People suffering from hip implant injuries are often required to hire personal support workers to help with daily tasks such as dressing and washing. The cost of this necessary care can be overwhelming.
If you sustained compensable injuries as a result of an error during your hip implant surgery, by working with Preszler Injury Lawyers, you might be able to recover damages for injury-related costs you have incurred. Depending on the specifics of your case, these damages might include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Physical rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Reduced future earning capacities
- Attendant care
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
- And possibly more
Contact Our Ontario Hip Implant Injury Lawyers Today
Hip implants are meant to improve a patient’s quality of life, not damage it. If you sustained compensable injuries as the result of your hip implant surgery, you may be entitled to compensation for damages you have incurred as a result. Depending on the circumstances of your case and the financial impact your injury has had on your life, our Ontario hip implant injury lawyers may be able to help you recover compensation for costs you have already incurred, as well as expenses you might incur in the future.
To book a free initial consultation with our Ontario hip implant injury lawyers, contact us through our online form, or call us to see how we may be able to help you.
