Experienced Lawyers for DePuy Hip Recall Victims

While hip joint replacement surgery is often an effective way to regain mobility following a serious sports injury or other accident, many have been negatively affected by the recent recall of DePuy Orthopaedics' metal ASR Acetabular System hip joint implants. The law firm of Miller Weisbrod, LLP, of Dallas, Texas, has been a national leader in handling complex medical device litigation. We represent individuals in Texas and nationwide who have suffered adverse effects due to a defective DePuy ASR hip implant.

Did you or a loved one require additional surgery to correct a defective DePuy hip implant? Contact our firm to discuss your real options for submitting a claim for compensation from negligent medical device manufacturers.

Negative Effects of Defective Hip Implants

While instances of defective DePuy ASR SL and ASR XL hip replacements were reported as early as 2007, parent corporation Johnson & Johnson delayed recalling the product until mid-2010 when persistent problems became too hard to ignore. Patients reported serious complications such as:

• Unexplained hip pain and swelling long after the initial surgery
• Stiffness of the joint
• Increased difficulty in mobility
• Damage to surrounding muscle and bone tissues due to grinding metal on metal, causing infection
• Hip bone fractures
• Blood poisoning due to metal shards entering the bloodstream (metallosis)

Nearly 12 to 13 percent of patients required expensive revision surgery within five years, as opposed to the 20 years the product was marketed to operate. This percentage led Johnson & Johnson to recall approximately 93,000 hip implants thought to be defective.

Exploring the Causes of DePuy Hip Failures

While the causes of the DePuy ASR hip implant failure are still under investigation, several revisions to the product since its introduction resulted from issues raised by surgeons using the implant. These orthopedic surgeons have reported that the design of the implant makes it difficult to place it at the proper angle for successful long-term wear. This improper positioning can lead to failure.

Once the DePuy ASR hip implant begins to fail, the metal femoral head may begin to rub against the metal acetabular cup. This design flaw allows metal parts to rub against each other and may be releasing metal ions to the surrounding soft tissue, which then react with inflammation and swelling, leading to pain. Also, these abnormally high metal ions keep the cup from securely bonding to the natural hip, leading to instability and even dislocation

Aggressively Pursuing DePuy ASR Lawsuits on Behalf of Affected Individuals Nationwide

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a defective DePuy ASR hip implant, the attorneys of Miller Weisbrod can help you pursue just compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you have endured. We invite you to call our main offices in Dallas at 214.987.0005 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer who will give you honest answers to your questions and a free case evaluation.

If you are calling from outside the DFW Metroplex, please call our toll-free line at 888.987.0005. You may also contact us by e-mail now to schedule an appointment or request additional information.