A settlement is available to individuals who had the DePuy ASR hip implant placed and required revision surgery as a result of implant complications. The intent of the DePuy hip implant failure settlement is to financially compensate patients who suffered from severe pain, suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and more that resulted from the failure of their DePuy hip implant.

In August 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, issued a voluntary recall for 93,000 of its DePuy ASR hip replacements. This recall followed numerous patient reports about the various complications experienced after they had the DePuy ASR hip implanted.

Complications of the DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Device

A variety of complications have been reported by patients who had the DePuy ASR hip replacement surgically implanted. The DePuy ASR is a metal-on-metal hip implant, which means that metal components of the device touch each other. This is in contrast to other metal hip implants that have a ceramic or plastic liner that separates the metal components of the hip implant.

The design itself may be responsible for the hip implant complications that patients experience. When the metal parts rub together during normal wear, small metal particles can flake off from the hip implant and can affect nearby tissue and can also affect the body systemically when the metal ions are released into the bloodstream.

The nearby tissue surrounding the DePuy ASR hip implant can become very inflamed, causing the patient severe pain and swelling. The tissue may also suffer from necrosis, or tissue death. With less tissue near the implant to support it and keep it in place, the device may loosen, causing the patient to experience instability and pain and this may even cause nearby bones to fracture. Pseudotumors and other tumors have also been noted in areas surrounding the implant.

When the chromium and cobalt metal particles enter the bloodstream, they can cause metal poisoning which can affect the patient’s entire body. Organs may be affected and may experience damage or failure and the body’s hormonal systems can also be disrupted by the metal excess. Cancer can also be the result of high metal levels in the blood.

Are You Eligible to Participate in the DePuy Hip Implant Failure Settlement?

Patients who had revision surgery may be eligible to participate in the DePuy hip implant failure settlement. Eligible patients may be awarded compensation estimated to range between $200,000 and $500,000 as a result of sustaining injuries linked to the DePuy ASR hip implant.

The procedures and eligibility needed to file for the DePuy hip implant failure settlement are complicated, and patients are encouraged to consult with an attorney to assist them in assuring that they have properly met all requirements and have properly submitted necessary documentation in order to take place in the settlement.

Attorneys familiar with the DePuy hip implant failure settlement can provide you with a no-cost, no-obligation consultation in order to discuss your unique situation and can advise you on your legal options should you choose to take advantage of the settlement.