First Federal Zimmer NexGen Knee Trial Slated for 2015

Staff Writer | June 11th, 2013

Zimmer Knee Legal Funding The first of over 1000 Zimmer NexGen knee lawsuits is now on track to begin in 2015, according to an agreement reached between attorneys for the plaintiffs and defendants and the presiding judge in the multidistrict litigation (MDL). The agreement outlines a schedule for an extensive pretrial process, including the selection of bellwether cases, discovery, pretrial motions, and interviews with expert witnesses. According to this schedule, all parties should be ready to begin the first trial by January 1st, 2015. Plaintiffs who were hoping for a swift resolution to their legal complaints may end up seeking Zimmer knee legal funding until their case reaches trial or settlement.

Zimmer knee lawsuits allege defective implants

Zimmer knee implants are medical devices used in knee replacement surgery to replace a joint damaged by injury, diseases such as arthritis or osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear due to aging. While Zimmer markets a number of knee implants, its NexGen devices have come under fire due to allegations of a high failure rate and a series of FDA product recalls. Recalled components include the NexGen MIS Tibial Components, NexGen LPS-Flex Femoral Component, NexGen TM Tibial Trays, and the MIS Modular Tibial Plates and Keels.

Plaintiffs allege that Zimmer’s knee implants are defective in that they have a tendency to fail long before other comparable knee replacement systems. Failure of an artificial knee can include loosening of the implant, dislocation of the artificial joint, instability, or early corrosion or fracture of the device. Patients with failed knee implants typically experience severe pain, joint instability, soft tissue damage, difficulty walking or standing, and reduced range of motion, and may also suffer bone loss, bone fracture, blood clots, nerve damage, and infections.

Pre settlement loans offer financial security

Victims of knee implant failure usually require a second surgery, called a knee revision surgery, to correct the damage caused by the first, failed implant. Knee revision surgery is much more complicated and difficult than the initial knee replacement, and carries a much longer recovery period and a worse long-term prognosis. Most patients suffer from disability and lost income during their recovery period and incur steep medical costs, including the cost of the knee revision surgery, hospital stay, home or hospice care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and medications necessary to treat pain and infection.

With over a thousand Zimmer NexGen knee lawsuits already filed, plaintiffs seeking compensation for their injuries face a long wait. All federal lawsuits have been consolidated under a procedure called multidistrict litigation (MDL), which is designed to streamline the pretrial process and encourage settlements, but even with this process it is likely that settlements won’t occur until the plaintiffs and defendants see the outcome of the first few trials. It could be years before the first plaintiffs see any compensation at all. For patients awaiting a trial or settlement, pre settlement loans are a risk-free way to cover medical expenses and make up for lost income caused by a faulty knee implant.

Zimmer knee legal funding is available risk-free

LawStreet Capital offers Zimmer knee legal funding to plaintiffs awaiting the outcome of their pending product liability cases. Legal funding consists of a risk-free cash advance that is only paid back if and when the plaintiff receives a settlement or jury award. LawStreet offers fast approval, low interest, no hidden fees, and once approved you can have your money overnight. Call LawStreet today at 1-800-345-8500 to begin your application.