Header image

Johnson & Johnson/DePuy: Liability May Exceed $3 Billion

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Defective Products | Medical Malpractice | Medical Products | Products Liability | Recalls | Recent Litigation - (0 Comments)

Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy division may be facing more than $3 billion in damages for its ASR and Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implants, reports Reuters. Not a surprise to those of us involved in the metal-on-metal implant litigation.

DePuy recalled the ASR metal-on-metal implant in 2010, years after evidence in Europe and Australia showed that these implants were being revised at a rate drastically hirer than traditional ceramic or poly implants. DePuy was forced to recall its ASR implants here in the U.S. after it became clear that a significant percentage of patients with these implants were experiencing metal debris reaction, which included pseudo tumors, infection-like reactions, loss of bone and muscle due to metallosis, early loosening and early failure.

DePuy Debris.jpg

Shortly after the ASR was recalled, it became clear to many that DePuy’s Pinnacle line was having similar problems. As calls poured in to attorneys around the country regarding the recalled ASR, a significant percentage of the calls were for DePuy Pinnacle implants with nearly identical problems.

Multi-district litigation cases are on-going for both the ASR and Pinnacle implants. MDL cases are contemplated regarding other metal-on-metal implants from other manufacturers. In recent weeks, Stryker has issued a recall on its modular stem system, the first non-bearing surface recall. (The DePuy and Pinnacle cases involve the weight-bearing implant surfaces, namely the artificial ball and cup joint that replaces the natural hip mechanism–Stryker’s implant is a modular femoral stem system that appears to be causing similar reactions as the bearing surface metal-on-metal implants, but due to corrosion at the connection of the modular components, rather than wear due to use of the bearing surfaces.) You can read about the Stryker recall here.

It is clear that there is trouble brewing for many, if not all, metal-on-metal hip implants. If you have experienced any of the following problems as a result of your metal-on-metal implant, please call our office at 1-800-557-8176:
Early Revision
Loosening
Pseudotumor
Metallosis
Implant Failure
Loss of Surrounding Muscle
Continuing Pain

AVVO 10.0.pngAVVO Clients Choice.png

, , , , ,

Hip Implant Problems Surge

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Medical Malpractice - (0 Comments)

The New York Times is reporting, what we already know–the number of complaints about metal-on-metal hip implants is surging. And there is no end in sight.

“All-metal replacement hips are on a trajectory to become the biggest and most costly medical implant problem since Medtronic recalled a widely used heart device” in 2007. At the present time, the major problems appear to exist be with the Zimmer Durom and DePuy (Johnson & Johnson) ASR metal-on-metal hip implants. But complaints are surfacing with many brands.

DePuy Debris.jpg

Patients are experiencing reactions, believed to be linked to the shedding of metal debris. Unlike traditional hip implants that use a ceramic or metal ball and a poly-vinyl pelvic cup liner, the metal-on-metal components have metal balls and metal cups. Reactions to the metal debris mimmick severe infections and can attack and destroy bone and soft tissue. In the simplest cases, the metalosis causes the components to loosen and after surgical revision, the patients are recovering normal function after revision. However, in some cases, the metalosis has destroyed so much muscle bone and ligament, that normal revision is not possible. These patients can suffer debilitating pain and loss of function.

If you or a loved one has had a metal-on-metal hip implant, you should immediately consult with an attorney. Please contact Todd N. Hendrickson at stlmedicalmalpractice.com.

DePuy Recall.jpeg

, , , , ,

DePuy ASR Hip Implant Recall–An Update

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Medical Malpractice - (0 Comments)

As we’ve reported on several occasions, our office is involved in the DePuy ASR hip implant recall litigation. In fact, we recently scored a minor victory against DePuy in one of our cases filed in Jackson County, Missouri. DePuy had sought to remove the case from the Missouri State Court in Jackson County to the United States Federal District Court. After extensive motions, the federal judge in the Western District of Missouri granted our Motion to Remand–one of very few such motions granted around the country.

In other developments, most DePuy ASR cases are being litigated in a Multi-District Litigation case pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Ohio. There, the plaintiffs’ attorneys are working together to conduct discovery. It is anticipated that DePuy will release, literally, millions of pages of documents.

hip-replacement-220.jpg

, ,

DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implants

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Insurance - (0 Comments)

DePuy, the manufacture of many types of orthopedic implants, issued a recall on its ASR hip implants last year. However, our office has seen a number of inquiries regarding the DePuy Pinnacle implants. Both implants appear to have similar issues: the “metal-on-metal” configuration creates metal debris in the hip. This metal debris causes an infection-like reaction, called metallosis. The result is a painful hip and, often, damage to bone and surrounding soft tissues as well as loosening of the components. The treatment is usually a surgical revision of the implants.

If you have a DePuy Pinnacle hip implant and have experienced any problems, please contact our office at 314-721-8833 or 1-800-557-8176 for a free consultation.

, ,

Congress to Investigate Johnson & Johnson/DePuy

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Medical Products | Products Liability | Recalls - (0 Comments)

The New York Times is reporting that Congress will investigate Johnson & Johnson makers of Tylenol and the recalled DePuy ASR hip implants.

Johnson and Johnson has been the subject of intensive scrutiny recently. Among the problems is the recall of its ASR hip implants. Initially, DePuy announced they were retiring the line because of low sales. However, the truth came out that the ASR hip implants were experiencing extremely high failure rates in short periods of time, as much as 10% in the first 2 or 3 years of use. These failures are leading to severe injuries and revision surgery.

If you or someone you know has a DePuy ASR metal-on-metal hip implant, contact our office immediately for a free consultation. Todd N. Hendrickson is an experienced medical malpractice and medical product liability lawyer and can help you evaluate your case. Contact us now.

, , , ,

DePuy ASR Hip Implants Recalled

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Medical Products | Products Liability | Recalls - (0 Comments)

DePuy, a division of Johnson and Johnson, has issued a recall of its ASR metal-on-metal hip implants. There has been a tremendous push by attorneys across the country to attract patients with ASR hips to file cases on their behalf. Before you respond to one of these advertisements, understand that a goal of many of these attorneys is to gather as many of these cases as possible to prosecute them “in volume.” There may be patients for which this type of representation is appropriate, but it won’t be for everyone.

Patients who have DePuy ASR hip implants will basically fall into three categories: (1) those who have had serious and debilitating injuries as a result of receiving an ASR implant; (2) those who have had or will need a revision surgery but obtain a good result; (3) those who haven’t experienced any problems. If you fall into the first category, you should avoid the “mass tort” lawyers. You need individual attention to your case and an attorney who will focus on your unique injuries. If you fall into the last category, you may be an appropriate client for those who will prosecute these cases as part of a class action or multi-district litigation. If you fall into the second category, you should explore the case in more detail.

If you want personal attention to your case, contact our office for a personal consultation.

, ,

DePuy Hip Implant Recall

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Medical Malpractice | Recent Litigation - (0 Comments)

DePuy, a division of Johnson & Johnson, has issued a recall on its ASR hip replacement components, including the ASR Hip Resurfacing System and the ASR XL Acetabular System. You can read about the recall here.
The DePuy ASR components are known as metal-on-metal components. Rather than using a poly-vinyl, ceramic or other material pelvic cup surface, the DePuy, like many other manufacturers, designed the ASR system to utilize a metal ball head and metal pelvic cup. The result is apparently is a disaster.
By some reports, more than 13% of these implants are failing within five years. The average him implant lasts 15-20 years before it wears out and needs to be revised. The highest rate of failure is in the smaller ASR implant sizes, 50mm and less, the most common sizes implanted in women.
If you have an ASR hip implant that has been revised due to early loosening or other problems, please contact the office of Todd N. Hendrickson immediately. Our office is aggressively investigating these cases and can help you. It is important that you be represented by an experienced medical malpractice and medical product liability lawyer, as DePuy will attempt to defend these cases by claiming that surgeon error in implantation. Don’t trust your case to a so-called “mass tort” law firm that doesn’t prosecute medical malpractice cases.
Contact our office today, by clicking on this link.

, , , , , ,

Hip Implants Withdrawn From the Market–Significant Number Are Failing in Just a Few Years

Posted by Todd Hendrickson in Medical Malpractice | Medical Products | Products Liability - (0 Comments)

DePuy, a division of Johnson & Johnson that manufactures orthopedic implants, including hip implant replacement systems, has withdrawn its ASR metal-on-metal implants, reports the New York Times. DePuy has touted this as its way of protecting patient safety, but in truth, evidence suggests that DePuy has known of this problem for years.

DePuy has informed doctors in a letter that the ASR had a higher-than-expected failure rate in certain types of patients. Data from a study out of Australia suggests that small statured patients, such as women, are at the highest risk. DePuy seems to indicate that the problem lies in how surgeons are installing the implants.

However, evidence suggests that the metal-an-metal implants can generate large amounts of metallic debris as they wear. This debris can cause severe inflammatory responses in some patients, damage muscles, soft tissue and bone. These reactions can lead to early need to replace the implants through revision surgery, in some cases in as little as 2 years. The normal expected life of such implants is 15 years and more.

Many implant manufactures began offering metal-on-metal implants a number of years ago as alternatives to the polyethylene (plastic) or ceramic components. With the metal-on-metal, both the ball and the cup (socket) are made from metal and, as they wear, they give off metal shavings and residue.

At this time it appears that DePuy and possibly other manufacturers did not sufficiently test these implant materials and, even after learning of unusually high failure rates, continued to actively market and promote the product. If you have had an implant fail within a few years after your surgery, you should immediately contact Todd N. Hendrickson. Our office specializes in medical malpractice and medical product liability claims and can help you fight for your rights. Call our office at 314-721-8833 for a free consultation.

, , ,