Weitz & Luxenberg Files Additional Lawsuits against Advanced Bionics Regarding Failed HiRes90k and Clarion Cochlear Implants

NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. (www.weitzlux.com) would like to inform the public that
our law firm is expanding its litigation against the California-based Advanced
Bionics Corporation, related to defective cochlear implants implanted in young
children and adults. Some of the firm`s clients have suffered multiple implant
surgeries due to a defective implant being surgically removed and replaced with
a second defective implant that later failed.

"What is particularly disturbing," said Teresa Curtin, an attorney with Weitz &
Luxenberg who is herself deaf and who has extensive experience with cochlear
implants, "is that Advanced Bionics sold a device to be implanted in the
delicate cochlea of young children and adults, yet violated the trust of these
individuals by failing to ensure that their product was manufactured correctly.
We are still receiving inquiries from individuals and families concerned about
whether their or their child`s implants are currently failing and should be
replaced."

Weitz & Luxenberg's initial lawsuits focused on defective Advanced Bionics
HiRes90k cochlear implants. Those devices were the subject of a Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) lawsuit that was settled in July 2008 with a $1,100,000
fine against Advanced Bionics and a $75,000 fine against Advanced Bionics` CEO
Jeffery Greiner, individually. Weitz & Luxenberg is now also accepting cases
involving Advanced Bionics' earlier Clarion implant model based on similar
defects and failures.

The defective implants have an especially devastating impact on young implanted
children and their families. This is because the earlier the implantation the
more likely the child will develop hearing, speech, language and cognitive
skills at a level similar to a normal hearing child. When that process is
disrupted due to a defective implant, valuable time in linguistic development is
lost.

The firm`s clients range in age from 5 to 81 and vary widely in terms of whether
they were born deaf, or lost their hearing gradually or suddenly. Yet virtually
all enjoyed and appreciated being able to hear with a cochlear implant prior to
their implant failures.

Potential symptoms of defective cochlear implants include:

* A sudden sensation of discomfort or pain;
* A sudden loud noise or popping sound;
* An intermittent functioning;
* A complete loss of sound;
* In infants or children, an unwillingness to wear the external headpiece,
crying or fussiness when the sound processor is turned on, lack of expected
progress or diminished progress in achieving speech/language milestones, or
apparent loss of audiological benefit.

If you or your child has been implanted with a defective cochlear implant, we
encourage you to contact us. The firm has a commitment to being accessible to
the deaf individuals and their families and has sign language interpreters and
videophone access available. To obtain a free lawsuit review, please visit our
website, www.weitzlux.com

About Weitz & Luxenberg P.C.

Weitz & Luxenberg, founded in 1986, is one of the leading plaintiffs' litigation
law firms in America. The firm has played leading roles in national and local
litigations involving mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer, as well as
defective medicines and medical devices such as shoulder pain pumps, Stryker hip
implants, Zimmer Durom Hip implants, Heparin, Advanced Bionics cochlear
implants, Hydroxycut, and general negligence and medical malpractice, among
others. A forerunner in the legal fight against polluters, Weitz & Luxenberg has
worked with clients harmed by the TVA coal ash sludge, PCE/TCE, MTBE, and
PERC/PCE in float-sink preps.

Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.
Client Relations department
1-800-476-6070
clientrelations@weitzlux.com

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