If you have had a hip replacement, you know that the healing process isn’t easy. When complications arise from a defective hip implant recovering can be extremely difficult or even impossible, resulting in a need for a second surgery. If you experienced complications after receiving a hip replacement with a DePuy hip implant, then you may be entitled to compensation for your experience.
DePuy Synthes, owned by parent corporation Johnson & Johnson, is one of the largest orthopedic companies in the world, offering orthopedic replacement components like artificial hips, knees, and shoulders.
In 2010, DePuy voluntarily recalled its ASR XL and ASR Hip Resurfacing System, stating that approximately 13% of patients who received the hip implant had to have a second surgery to remove the device and fix problems created by the implant. At the time of the recall, these hip implants had been used in more than 93,000 hip replacement surgeries around the world.
Complications with the ASR hip implants include:
- Ill-fitting implants, which can lead to bone fractures in the bones that the implants are inserted into
- Metallosis, or metal poisoning caused by a buildup of metal fragments in the body
- Microscopic metal fragments wearing off of the hip implant and entering the bloodstream, which can cause nervous system and heart issues
- Dislocation of the implant
- Pain around the implant
- Inability to walk
- Grinding sensation when moving or walking
- Limited range of motion
- Pseudotumors, or masses of tissue caused by irritation from metal fragments
Patients who suffered these complications often required a second “revision” surgery to implant a new hip.
In March of 2016, Johnson & Johnson lost its second lawsuit regarding defective DePuy artificial hips, and was ordered to pay $502 million in damages. These damages were broken down into $142 million for actual damages, including medical bills, and an additional $360 million in punitive damages, which were meant to punish Johnson & Johnson for allegedly hiding known flaws in the hip implants and failing to warn surgeons and patients of the risks that come with using the implants. Johnson & Johnson also reportedly agreed to settle over 7,500 lawsuits for $4 billion, which would make the settlement the largest defective medical device settlement in the United States.
To prove that Johnson & Johnson is liable for damages you suffered from a DePuy hip replacement, you must prove that the hip implant was unreasonably dangerous or had a dangerous defect that caused your injury. You must also prove that you did not misuse the hip implant in a way that would cause injury.
If you have been adversely affected by a DePuy hip implant, you may be entitled to compensation. While a lawsuit is never a guaranteed success, cases stemming from DePuy hip implants share a similar set of characteristics, and can help show that the manufacturer produced a defective product. Furthermore, Johnson & Johnson has already agreed to settle with a preliminary group of plaintiffs. Your particular set of circumstances will be a large factor on whether your case could be a success, and talking to an attorney one-on-one about your experience can help shed light on whether to pursue the case.
If you are suffering from complications caused by a defective artificial hip, the last thing you should be concerning yourself with is how to pay for representation in your case. Unfortunately, attorneys are sometimes very expensive, so you may not think that you can afford to hire an attorney to help you with your case. However, at Hughes & Coleman, our attorneys work on a contingency basis when it comes to defective medical device cases. We only get paid when you win your case, and if you do not win, then you do not have to pay your attorney. It’s that simple—if you lose your case, you are free of any obligation to pay your attorney. Don’t let financial worries get in the way of getting the compensation you deserve. Let one of the attorneys at Hughes & Coleman help you with your case today.
Let us Help You Fight Your Case Today
If you are suffering from complications due to a defective hip implant, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Don’t fight this battle alone—let one of the experienced attorneys at Hughes & Coleman do the work for you. Products liability claims involving defective medical devices are complicated lawsuits which require in-depth knowledge about manufacturing and design processes. Instead of trying to represent yourself in a complex lawsuit, let an attorney represent you so that you can focus on healing. Scheduling a conference is 100% free; just call or fill out a case evaluation form so that one of our lawyers can analyze your claim.
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