Product News and Recalls

Another trial set for DePuy hip implant

Another trial involving a DePuy Orthopaedics hip implant is set to begin in Illinois, right on the heels of a Los Angeles trial that netted an $8.33 million settlement for the plaintiff, Reuters reports.

In all, nearly 11,000 lawsuits have been filed over the ASR hip implant, which Johnson & Johnson subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics recalled in 2010 because of their high early failure rate, and tendency to shed toxic metal debris in patients’ bodies.

In the Los Angeles case, a former prison guard sued over allegations that he suffered kidney cancer and other ailments as a result of elevated cobalt and chromium levels from his ASR hip implant.

In addition to the Illinois trial, two cases in federal multi district litigation are set for trial in May and July in Ohio, Reuters says.

The all-metal hip implants were initially marketed as more durable than models incorporating plastic and ceramic, but turned out to fail at far higher rates when the component parts ground against each other.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently issued a proposal calling on companies that make all-metal hip replacements to provide additional information proving they are safe and effective before being allowed to continue selling them.

Johnson & Johnson, which has dealt with a number of high-profile recalls in recent years, set aside more than $3 billion to cover costs related to the ASR hip recall, Reuters reports.

You should consult with a doctor if you have any ongoing symptoms or health concerns from a DePuy hip implant. If you have significant injuries, you should also consult with a DePuy hip lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

See the story here:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/health/sns-rt-us-jj-trial-hipsbre92711p-20130308,0,5695789.story