If you have had hip revision surgery since March 2015 as a result of a failed DePuy ASR hip implant system, you could be eligible for a legal claim against maker Johnson & Johnson.

The DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implant has resulted in thousands of lawsuits since the FDA announced a voluntary recall in August 2010.

An estimated 93,000 DePuy ASR hip implants were completed worldwide with 37,000 of those done in the U.S.

A United Kingdom report recently found that 13 percent of DePuy ASR hip implants required a hip revision surgery.

If your DePuy ASR hip implant failed and you needed a revision surgery since March 2015, you could have a legal claim.

Why DePuy ASR Patients Need Hip Revision Surgery

Similar to other metal-on-metal hip implants, DePuy ASR causes tiny metal shavings to be released into the body, resulting in high cobalt or chromium levels in the blood. Metal poisoning, also known as metallosis, can lead to tissue death for the tissue surrounding the implant. The only way to reduce the poisoning is to have hip revision surgery to remove the offending metal parts.

Among other issues that can result from metal-on-metal hip systems:

• Degenerative heart disease or cardiomyopathy
• Impaired renal function
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Pseudotumors around the hip implant, causing pressure and inflammation
• Cancer due to toxic metals entering the system
• Dislocated hip
• Reduction in bone strength or structure, causing easy fracturing
• Complete failure of the hip implant requiring replacement soon after initial surgery

These complications are the same issues reported with the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement system, which was the ASR’s metal-on-metal predecessor.

The FDA warns those who have received metal-on-metal hip implants to watch for the following symptoms of device failure:

• Pain while moving or walking
• Swelling in the hip or groin area
• Lumps near the hip
• Dislocation, or feeling the joint has slipped out of place
• Squeaking or popping noises while moving

DePuy Lawsuits and Settlements

Nearly 8,000 lawsuits have been filed regarding Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System and the DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular Cup system.

In the first round of lawsuits regarding the DePuy ASR, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay a combined $600,000 to settle three lawsuits in 2012. Those three patients had hip revision surgeries after their DePuy ASR systems failed.

A new DePuy ASR settlement offer for anyone who has had hip revision surgery since March 2015 now awaits.

The new settlement offer is complicated, but could find patients receiving up to $500,000 each for their DePuy ASR woes.

If your DePuy ASR hip implant system failed and you have had hip revision surgery since March 2015, you could qualify to receive compensation.