Orthopedic Surgeon Sues Smith & Nephew for Failed Hip Device

BURLINGTON, Vt. — An orthopedic surgeon has filed a lawsuit in Vermont, alleging that he suffered injuries from a Smith & Nephew ceramic hip device that fractured approximately a year after implantation. Halsey v. Smith & Nephew GmbH, et al., No. 12-171 (D. Vt.).

In a July 30 complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont, Dr. David A. Halsey alleges that Smith & Nephew was long aware of serious problems with its R3 ceramic hip replacement before acknowledging that a liner in the device had the potential to fracture earlier than expected.

Halsey contends that …