A woman from Illinois recently filed legal action against DePuy Orthopaedics, alleging the defective nature of their metal on metal hip prosthetic forced her to undergo DePuy hip replacement revision surgery.

This surgical procedure was reportedly necessary due to the serious injuries allegedly caused by the all metal components of the hip replacement system. Reports of complications caused certain models of the DePuy ASR hip implant to be recalled from the market.

Plaintiff Janet S. is joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of other patients who also allegedly had to undergo at least one DePuy hip replacement revision surgery, due to complications related to device failure.

Hip Lawsuit

According to DePuy metal hip lawsuit, Janet underwent total left hip replacement surgery on June 15, 2006, during which the DePuy ASR hip replacement system was implanted.

Even though the DePuy ASR hip implant was supposed to resolve medical issues related to hip mobility, the device allegedly compounded Janet’s medical condition. According to her DePuy metal hip lawsuit, Janet suffered from the effects of cobalt and chromium poisoning and debilitating pain, which caused her to go to multiple doctor appointments and interfered with her ability to work.

Janet eventually underwent DePuy hip replacement revision surgery on Sept. 11, 2017, and opted to file legal action after learning of the DePuy ASR recall.

Janet’s lawsuit points out that she and her orthopedic physicians had relied on the marketing materials and product information provided by DePuy at the time the ASR hip implant was recommended, so there was no way she could have known about the device’s defective nature.

Overview of DePuy ASR Hip Implant Complications

The DePuy ASR hip replacement system is a metal on metal hip implant that is typically recommend to patients suffering from damaged or deteriorating hip joints. Metal on metal hip implants consists of ball and socket joint components made from a metal alloy made of cobalt and chromium.

When these components interact, metal ions are shed into the bloodstream and can cause metallosis or blood metal poisoning. This can lead to a multitude of other complications that ultimately contribute to device failure including:

• Debilitating Pain
• Limited range of Motion
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Tissue Death
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Increased risk of Cancer
• Cardiomyopathy
• Loss of Bone Strength

Each of these complications can contribute to the need for revision surgery, which can be riskier than the initial implant surgery.

Johnson & Johnson reportedly recalled certain models of the DePuy ASR hip implant in August 2010 due to a high rate of serious injury reports, and eventually set up a settlement fund for patients. Patients who had the DePuy ASR hip implant system implanted and later had to undergo revision surgery due to metal hip implant complications since 2015 are eligible to participate.

Janet says she continues to contend with the long term complications of DePuy ASR hip implant failure and is seeking compensation for related medical bills, lost work, as well as damages for negligence and failure to warn.

Janet’s DePuy metal hip lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2197, where it will be streamlined through the litigation process and avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

Her DePuy Metal Hip Lawsuit is Case No. 3:19-cv-00403, in the U.S. District Court of Northern Ohio, Western Division.