Health & Fitness
Johnson & Johnson Move Toward Settlement In Hip Implant Lawsuits
After some 8,000 patients have had to have their artificial hip implants removed and replaced, Johnson & Johnson moves toward a settlement for the lawsuits.
Typically, hip replacements are supposed to last up to 15 years in patients—so imagine the surprise in some patients when they learned theirs were failing much sooner than they expected. Such is the case with Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Orthopaedics division, which recalled its artificial hip implant, the Articular Surface Replacement, in 2010. Some patients had spent years trying to convince their doctors that there was something wrong with the implants while Johnson & Johnson denied the claims, but recently, moves have been made to settle the various lawsuits associated with the implant.
What Happened With the Implant?
The recalled device, known as the A.S.R., is now known as one of the most-flawed medical implants sold in the United States over the past several decades. The implant had a metal ball and cup, and as the implant wore down over time, metal debris created particles that damaged tissue, caused intense pain, and, for some patients, lead to crippling injuries. So far, about 12,000 claims have been made regarding the implants.
More Than 8,000 Patients May Receive Damages
While only two lawsuits so far have made it to court, about 8,000 other patients have had to undergo procedures to have the DePuy device removed and replaced. The artificial hip was implanted in roughly 93,000 patients, and the recall in 2010 stated that according to an estimate, 40 percent of the patients who had the implant would need it replaced within five years. With a proposed settlement agreement discussed in November 2013, Johnson & Johnson would have to pay out $2.5 billion in damages to those who already had the implants replaced, however more medical expenses related to replacing the devices could cause that figure to rise to $3 billion.
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If you have issues related to this implant or have had a problem following any other medical procedure, Malman Law is a law firm in Chicago that concentrates in personal injury and medical malpractice cases and can help you. For more information on your rights, download this guide from our team about what to do when you’re dealing with a personal injury case.
