Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics are facing a new product liability claim, alleging serious injuries from DePuy hip replacement failure.

The claim was filed by a man from Virginia, who alleges the DePuy hip replacement failure was caused by design complications related to the prosthetic’s all metal implant components.

Plaintiff Roy B. claims the metal on metal hip implant components had caused each other to wear down and shed metal debris into his bloodstream, which ultimately resulted in DePuy hip replacement failure. According to the DePuy metal hip lawsuit, Roy had the DePuy ASR hip implant implemented for typical treatment purposes on Nov. 20, 2006.

Like other patients who opt for an all metal hip replacement system, Roy and his orthopedic physician were assured the product was a safe and reliable choice by the manufacturer. Patients often choose metal on metal hip replacements if they are looking to return to an active lifestyle, with many manufacturers marketing them as more durable and longer lasting than ceramic or plastic models.

However, numerous patients have alleged serious injuries and complications related to metal on metal hip replacement systems. While Roy reportedly suffered no initial complications, he says he eventually started experiencing debilitating pain and other side effects associated with DePuy hip replacement failure.

These complications eventually forced Roy to undergo revision surgery on Sept. 19, 2017, in which the DePuy ASR hip implant was removed. Even though the prosthetic was removed from his body, Roy says he continues to experience long lasting effects of DePuy hip replacement failure.

Overview of DePuy Hip Replacement Failure Complications

Roy and other patients allege that DePuy hip replacement failure occurred due to a serious design flaw in their components. More specifically, metal ions and debris can be shed into the bloodstream when the all metal ball and socket joint components interact. This causes blood metal ion levels to rise to dangerous levels, which can cause serious complications like increased risk of cancer and cardiomyopathy.

Other painful DePuy hip replacement failure complications patients can experience include:

• Fretting
• Corrosion
• Infection
• Formation of Pseudotumors
• Debilitating Pain
• Limited Range of Motion

These painful complications may force patients to undergo revision surgery — riskier than the initial implant procedure due to higher risk of infection.

In fact, due to numerous reported cases of DePuy hip replacement failure, the company issued a recall of their DePuy ASR hip implants in August 2010. The company later formed a settlement fund for patients who suffered DePuy hip replacement failure and have had to undergo revision surgery.

It is important to note that the recall was issued two years before Roy had the DePuy ASR hip replacement implanted, so he had no way of knowing about the device’s allegedly defective nature. At the time, Roy says he relied on marketing materials and product information provided by the manufacturers.

Roy states he would not have opted for the all metal hip prosthetic, if he had known about the severity of DePuy hip replacement failure.

This Hip Implant Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-00648-RAJ-DEM, in the Circuit Court for the city of Virginia Beach.