Nearly 100,000 patients received a DePuy hip replacement before the company recalled the product in August 2010. If you were among the patients who received a DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System or the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System, you could be entitled to compensation for the cost of a repair and replacement operation, as well as for your pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages.
DePuy’s parent company, Johnson & Johnson, recalled the hip replacements after a number of studies indicated that they had a failure rate about twice that of other hip replacements. Many of the hip replacements began causing problems within years or even months after being implanted, even though they were intended to last 15 years or longer.
Although the company has said it will reimburse patients for the cost of revision surgeries, a lawsuit might be necessary for patients to recover their full damages, including compensation for their pain and suffering. Patients who received a DePuy hip replacement should consult with a qualified attorney to ensure that their legal rights are protected.
Legal disputes over defective DePuy hip replacements are essentially product liability matters, but they also involve an element of medical malpractice law. The law firm of Gemma Law Associates, Inc., has years of experience handling Rhode Island medical malpractice and product defect cases, including defective implants.
We fight to protect the rights of patients and their families. Call us or fill out our online contact form for a consultation about your case. We represent clients in areas throughout the state, including Providence, Newport, Bristol, Warwick, Woonsocket, Cranston and Pawtucket.
About Defective DePuy Hip Replacements
The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System is a metal-on-metal replacement ball-and-socket joint that is implanted into the hip. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared it for use beginning in 2005. The DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System is a partial hip replacement implant that was never approved for use in the United States; however, some American patients could have received the implants in operations abroad.
It is believed that a design flaw allowed the metal parts of the DePuy hip replacement to rub together, allowing small bits of metallic material to break off and enter the muscles and other tissue around the hip joint. The metallic debris can cause an adverse reaction known as metalosis, creating dangerous levels of cobalt and chromium in the body. Other problems related to defective DePuy hip replacements include:
- Pain or swelling in the hip, thigh, and groin;
- Dislocation of the ball and socket;
- Allergic reaction;
- Loosening of the hip implant;
- Bone fractures;
- Difficulty walking, standing or carrying heavy items; and
- Infection.
Because the DePuy hip replacements were recalled in 2010, the manufacturer might have already contacted you about the recall and a necessary revision surgery. You should not sign any paperwork provided by DePuy without first consulting a qualified DePuy hip replacement attorney.
Contact Rhode Island Hip Replacement Lawyers
If you received a DePuy hip replacement including the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System or the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The Providence, Rhode Island, DePuy hip replacement attorneys of Gemma Law Associates, Inc., can review your case and advise you about your legal rights. Contact us today toll-free or fill out our online contact form.