Under a recent settlement agreement, medical device and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson will pay $120 million to resolve claims that the company made false and inaccurate claims about their prosthetic hip implant devices, including the ASR DePuy hip system.

Johnson & Johnson Hip Implant Settlement

The long-running dispute between state prosecutors and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) will finally be resolved by the $120 million settlement.

According to the New York Attorney General Letitia James and 45 other attorneys general across the United States, J&J’s subsidiary DePuy deceptively marketed their hip implants. DePuy, a world leader in the replacement joint industry, has been accused of making false statements about the longevity of their metal-on-metal implants. In a statement regarding the settlement, James said, “Companies should never be allowed to freely mislead the public, especially when there are health concerns involved.”

Dangers of DePuy Hip Implants

Under the terms of the settlement, J&J and DePuy did not have to admit any liability. Still, the claims lodged against these companies are serious and may have major health implications for patients.

The moving parts in metal-on-metal hip replacement devices like the ASR DePuy system may grind against each other, releasing toxic metal ions into patients’ bloodstreams. This grating movement may also cause the metal parts to deteriorate and create metal shavings.

Side effects from this deterioration may include tissue necrosis, local swelling and inflammation, allergic reactions, pain, and disability. Hip dislocation and bone fractures are also common side effects. In some cases, non-cancerous tumors may develop around the implant, leading to discomfort. These side effects may indicate impending failure of the device. Device failure may require patients to undergo revision or replacement surgeries to repair the damage done by the malfunctioning device.

DePuy Lawsuits and Recalls

DePuy has settled more than 10,000 claims and lawsuits from patients who required revision surgeries after they received hip implants created by the company. Lawsuits regarding DePuy hips have been filed in the U.S., as well as in many other countries across the globe, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Germany, and Italy. Due to these and other claims, DePuy recalled the DePuy ASR hip replacement system in 2010.

Who is Affected?

Approximately half a million Americans have undergone hip replacement surgery after receiving a defective prosthetic implant. Many of these patients may have received the ASR DePuy hip replacement system. Many more patients may still be suffering the adverse consequences associated with these prosthetic devices.

If you have received the ASR DePuy hip implant and have suffered serious side effects, including pain, disability, or device failure, you may be able to file a hip replacement lawsuit and pursue compensation. Patients who have undergone hip revision surgery on a DePuy ASR prosthetic since March 2015 may be eligible for settlements. Many patients have received payouts for hip replacements due to the dangerous side effects and failures associated with these devices.