This month, pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has agreed to bring an end to a slew of metal-on-metal hip implant lawsuit for a hefty $1 billion.

According to these lawsuits, plaintiffs suffered from complications caused by defective DePuy metal-on-metal hip implants that necessitated device removal surgery. DePuy is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, the largest maker of healthcare products in the world.

The mass of DePuy hip litigation that has now been settled involves more than 95 percent of about 6,000 individual cases. This settlement came after three years of litigation ending in Texas juries ordering Johnson & Johnson to pay out more than $1.5 billion to Pinnacle hip patients.

The settlement money is not being paid in one lump sum through a global settlement program. Instead, Johnson & Johnson’s attorneys have come to separate agreements with plaintiffs’ lawyers, coming to a total settlement amount of roughly $1 billion.

DePuy hip litigation has been in the public eye for more than four years. According to Johnson & Johnson spokesperson Mindy Tinsley, the company is still in settlement negotiations for hip implant lawsuits, and an unspecified amount of funds are set aside for this litigation.

A few months ago, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $120 million to resolve claims brought by the attorneys general of 46 states that the company falsely promoted its ASR XL and Pinnacle Ultamet hip implants. A previous settlement for Johnson & Johnson Pinnacle Ultamet hip implants amounted to an award of around $400 million.

Johnson & Johnson continues to deny consumers’ claims over DePuy Pinnacle products, maintaining that the company tested and marketed the products responsibly.

Metal-on-Metal Implants Associated with Complications

Metal-on-metal hip implant complications reportedly include hip joint pain, high rate of failure, metallosis, cardiovascular problems, neurological problems, the need for revision surgery, and more.

A number of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices have been associated with serious complications, including the following:

• Zimmer MMC Cup hip implant
• DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Systems
• DePuy Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System

Filing a DePuy Hip Implant Lawsuit

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against DePuy and its parent company Johnson & Johnson over problems with metal-on-metal hip implants. The majority of these cases have now been settled, but some litigation is still ongoing.

If you or someone you love has suffered from side effects of defective DePuy hip implant devices, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. While filing a lawsuit cannot undo the pain and suffering caused by hip implant complications, it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be overwhelming, especially when added to injuries and even further surgeries, so Top Class Actions has taken some of the guesswork out of the equation by connecting you with an experienced medical device attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of DePuy hip litigation, and maximize your compensation.