DePuy ASR Recall

May 16, 2016

Hip replacement complications trigger lawsuits

When metal hips are used in hip replacement surgery, patients can suffer from implant failure, metallosis, bone death, dislocation, and other serious complications.

Many patients experience relief from pain caused by osteoarthritis and increased mobility. But, like other surgeries, hip replacement carries its own set of risks and complications that require immediate medical attention or even additional surgeries to treat. The type of implant may also increase the risk for certain complications. For example, studies show metal-on-metal implants have greater risk of loosening or early failure because metal particles released from the device may weaken nearby bone and tissue.

Popular brands of metal-on-metal hip implants include Smith & Nephew, Biomet M2a-Magnum, and DePuy ASR and Pinnacle.

October 24, 2014

Jury Finds for J&J DePuy In Texas Pinnacle Hip Trial

by Dr. Shezad Malik

Johnson & Johnson was found not liable for personal injuries and product liability by a Texas jury in the first case to go to trial.

Jury Found For Johnson & Johnson DePuy

The Dallas federal jury ruled unanimously against the plaintiff Kathleen Herlihy-Paoli, who said the two metal-on-metal Pinnacle hips she received in 2009 were defective and that the company failed to warn patients and doctors about the device’s risks.

October 21, 2014

Metal on Metal Defective Hip Metallosis Settlement Update

by Dr. Shezad Malik

The slow moving train wreck that we call the Metal on Metal Hip debacle continues to grind on. For the thousands of patients who were promised the latest and greatest hip technology but instead were sold a pile of scrap metal, and the significant risk of metal poisoning, there maybe light at the end of the tunnel.

There has been some success in resolving the lawsuits involving thousands of defective metal on metal hips. Some of the lawsuits have been settled and thousands more are still pending against the metal hip manufacturers including Zimmer (now the new proud owner of Biomet), DePuy, Stryker, Wright Medical and Smith and Nephew that sold the metal-on-metal hip implants.

The defective hip replacement lawsuits share similar allegations that there is premature catastrophic hip implant failure caused by metal cobalt and chromium release. The artificial hips are made of cobalt chromium alloy and the grinding action of the hip joint in daily activity causing the metal components to rub together, leading to the release of these toxic heavy metal particles.

August 7, 2014

Texas Metal on Metal Defective Hip Lawsuit Update

by Dr. Shezad Malik

There has been some success in the lawsuits involving thousands of defective metal on metal hips. Some of the lawsuits have been settled and thousands more are still pending against the metal hip manufacturers including Zimmer (now the new proud owner of Biomet), DePuy, Stryker, Wright Medical and Smith and Nephew that sold the metal-on-metal hip implants.

The defective hip replacement lawsuits share similar allegations that there is premature hip implant failure caused by metal cobalt and chromium release. The artificial hips are made of cobalt chromium alloy and the grinding action of the hip joint in daily activity causing the metal components to rub together, leading to the release of these toxic heavy metal particles.

The release of these metal ions , causing metallosis, damaging tissues in the hip area and causes elevated blood levels of these toxins.

October 4, 2013

DePuy ASR Hip Failure Lawsuits Heading to Settlement?

by Dr. Shezad Malik

There is media speculation that Johnson & Johnson (J&J), and its subsidiary DePuy, are in active discussions to attempt a global settlement of their defective ASR metal on metal artificial hips.

J&J Potential Settlement North of $3 Billion

Apparently J&J has discussed paying more than $3 billion to settle lawsuits over its recalled hip implants. J&J is exposed to over 11,500 product liability lawsuits in the U.S. and is considering paying more than $300,000 per case.