Hip and knee replacements are meant to restore mobility and reduce pain — not create new problems. Yet thousands of Americans each year experience complications or outright failures from defective implants. Whether due to poor design, faulty materials, or inadequate testing, these failures can lead to additional surgeries, infections, and lifelong pain.

If you or someone you love has suffered from a failed hip or knee implant, it’s important to understand your rights and take action early. At Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook, Ltd. LPA, we represent individuals across Ohio who have been harmed by dangerous and defective medical products.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Not every ache means a product failure — but certain symptoms may signal something more serious. Common red flags include:

• Increasing pain after the initial recovery period
• Grinding, popping, or instability in the joint
• Swelling, redness, or signs of infection
• Limited range of motion or inability to bear weight
• A recall notice for your implant model

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your surgeon immediately for evaluation — and document everything.

Preserve All Medical and Device Information

Keep every document you receive from your doctor, hospital, or manufacturer. This includes:

• Operative reports and implant stickers or labels
• Product information sheets
• Post-surgery instructions and follow-up notes
• X-rays and imaging results

These records are crucial to identify which product was implanted and whether it’s part of a known defect or recall.

Avoid Signing Anything Before Speaking to an Attorney

Manufacturers and insurance carriers may reach out quickly, sometimes offering to pay for “corrective surgery” or provide a small settlement. Accepting or signing anything too early can limit your legal rights.
A qualified product liability attorney can help determine whether your claim falls under:

• Defective design (unsafe even when used correctly)
• Manufacturing defect (errors in production or materials)
• Failure to warn (insufficient instructions or disclosure of risks)

Act Quickly — Time Limits Matter

In Ohio, product liability claims generally must be filed within two years of when you knew or should have known of the defect or injury. Evidence like the defective implant itself or surgical hardware must be preserved properly to build a strong case.

If you’ve already undergone revision surgery, ask the surgeon or hospital to retain the explanted device — it can serve as critical evidence.

Understand What Compensation May Cover

A successful claim may help recover:

• Medical expenses and future surgeries
• Lost income or diminished earning capacity
• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Costs of home health care or rehabilitation

Each case is unique, but an experienced legal team can help evaluate the full scope of your losses.

You’re Not Alone

From the DePuy hip recall to Zimmer and Stryker knee implant issues, manufacturers have faced lawsuits nationwide for failing to ensure patient safety. Our firm monitors recalls, FDA safety updates, and emerging litigation trends to protect clients’ rights when medical devices fail.

Chad M. Stonebrook, Esq. is a Partner at Lardiere McNair & Stonebrook, Ltd., LPA.

Disclaimers: Artificial intelligence is used as a tool to supplement, enhance, make suggestions, and generate blog language from the thoughts, ideas, and opinions of our human lawyers. The final product is reviewed and edited by an attorney.

The information presented here has been prepared by Lardiere McNair for promotional and informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. This information is not intended to provide, and receipt of it does not constitute legal advice. Nor does the receipt of this material create an attorney/client relationship. An attorney client relationship is not established until such time as Lardiere McNair enters into a written engagement agreement with a specific client for a specific legal matter.