Patients who have been implanted with DePuy Orthopaedics’ ASR hip implant system and suffered from complications or hip implant failure may qualify for compensation from a DePuy hip implant settlement.

Nearly half a million Americans have undergone hip replacement surgery and may have been implanted with Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy ASR hip implant. However, hundreds of lawsuits have been filed alleging a design defect led to complications of early hip implant failure and metal poisoning.

Due to adverse effects and complications reported with the DePuy ASR implant, lawsuits filed are seeking compensation for pain, suffering, lost income, and medical bills.

Allegations raised by those who have received DePuy’s ASR hip implants accuse the company of failing to warn them of the risks in being implanted with a metal-on-metal hip replacement system.

Johnson & Johnson, DePuy’s parent company, has entered into a DePuy hip implant settlement. The multi-billion-dollar settlement was created to resolve a portion of legal cases filed by victims of DePuy implants.

What is a Hip Replacement?

A hip replacement is also termed a hip arthroplasty. Injured or diseased hip joints may be replaced surgically using an artificial joint or implant. Hip replacement surgeries are undergone to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, natural wear-and-tear of the hip, and even hip fracture.

Some types of hip implants include Metal-on-Polyethylene (MoP), Ceramic-on-Polyethylene (CoP), Ceramic-on-Cermanic (CoC), Ceramic-on-Metal (CoM), and Metal-on-Metal (MoM).

Metal-on-metal hip implants, like the ASR implant manufactured by DePuy, were promoted as being very durable. They are marketed to be popular among younger patients who live a more active lifestyle. However, there are serious side effects and complications that can arise once implanted with a MoM hip implant.

Serious Side Effects Result from Defective Design

Metal-on-Metal hip replacement systems such as DePuy’s ASR hip implant have been involved in reports of severe complications and debilitating adverse effects allegedly resulting from a defective design.

Some adverse effects include a health issue called metallosis. This is the condition in which metal particles from the MoM hip implant is shed into the body. Symptoms of metallosis includes severe pain, tissue and bone death, and implant failure.

Additional Metal-on-Metal hip replacement adverse effects include revision surgery due to premature hip implant failure; cardiomyopathy, a degenerative disease of the heart; toxic substances being released causing an increased risk of cancer; and non-cancerous tumors surrounding the side of the hip implant causing inflammation, discomfort, pain, and swelling.

DePuy’s ASR Hip Implant Recall

The ASR hip implant system was recalled in August 2010 after the device had begun failing earlier than DePuy had expected. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced DePuy’s voluntary ASR recall on Aug. 24, 2010. The recall included 93,000 hip implants located around the world. Of the 93,000, 37,000 ASR hip implants were in the United States.

According to DePuy Synthes, the reason for the recall was that a “2010 UK data indicated that within five years of having an ASR resurfacing device implanted, approximately 12 percent of patients had revision surgery, and that within five years of having an ASR total hip replacement, approximately 13 percent of patients had revision surgery, which was not in line with data previously reported in that registry.”

“After reviewing this data, DePuy decided it was in the best interests of patients to voluntarily recall the ASR Hip System. The company acted quickly by voluntarily recalling the product in every country where it was sold.”

DePuy Hip Implant Settlement and Lawsuits

In August 2012, Johnson & Johnson announced that they would settle the first lawsuits pertaining to the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System. The first DePuy hip implant settlement, which had reached a combined settlement amount of $600,000, covered three DePuy ASR hip implant lawsuits. The patients who had filed the lawsuits had complained of debilitating adverse effects including bone damage, pain, and other complications.

Each plaintiff in the first DePuy hip implant settlement received $200,000. Under the most recent version of the settlement, qualifying claimants are expected to receive payments in the neighborhood of $200,000 to $300,000.