Sacramento Medical Device Attorney and Client appeared at the Senate Committee on Aging over the DePuy ASR Hip Replacement System

Sacremento, CA (Law Firm Newswire) April 19, 2011 – Last week, Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff client, Katie Korgaokor appeared before the Senate Committee on Aging to provide testimony concerning her experience with the recalled DePuy ASR hip replacement system. The purpose of the hearing was to explore whether changes to the FDA’s “fast track” approval process are necessary in light of several recent high profile recalls involving medical devices approved through this process.

Every year, thousands of people are injured or die as a result of defective medical devices being released to the public. Recent studies have shown that most of these devices were approved through the FDA’s fast track process where little or no testing is required.

At the hearing, Katie, who was implanted with a DePuy ASR and later had to undergo a revision surgery, provided the committee with the perspective of a patient who has been affected by a defective medical device approved through this process.

KCR partner, Stuart Talley, who appeared with Katie at the hearing, explained the importance of her testimony: “When people hear about a medical device being recalled in the news they rarely see the consequences of what occurs when this happens. Katie’s testimony put a face on the statistics. Her story is incredibly powerful.”

After the hearing, Talley also commented on the need for changes to the FDA approval process: “Contrary to what device manufacturers have been arguing, most of these fast tracked devices are not revolutionary life saving inventions. Rather they are usually slight modifications to existing devices that have been on the market for years. However, sometimes these slight modifications can have disastrous consequences.”

For more information on the dangers of the DePuy ASR and other metal-on-metal hip devices, the firm developed a new website featuring videos of an expert toxicologist to inform their clients and the public about metal wear debris leached from metal-on-metal hip devices. Visit the site at www.cobalt-chromium-toxicity.com.

Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff have demonstrated their dedication to protecting the legal rights of patients affected by medical device recalls, as well as their ability to devote substantial resources through trials involving large corporations. They have represented thousands of victims of defective medical devices, dangerous drugs and consumer products in cases throughout the United States, generating millions of dollars in lawsuit recoveries for their clients and the classes they have represented.

To learn more, visit the Sacramento personal injury and Sacramento wrongful death law firm at http://www.kcrlegal.com/.

Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff
401 Watt Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95864
http://www.kcrlegal.com/
Call: (888) 285.3333