DePuy Hip Replacement Lawsuits

Hip replacement is a surgical procedure where the hip joint is replaced by a prosthetic implant. Hip replacement surgery is usually done by an orthopedic surgeon. The surgery can relieve arthritis pain or fix severe physical joint damage. However, many patients suffered serious side effects and complications from defective hip replacement devices, including those manufactured by DePuy.

Hip implant manufacturers are liable for injuries caused by defective medical devices. If you had a DePuy hip implant, a personal injury lawyer can help you file a product liability claim. Talk to a defective medical device lawyer experienced in DePuy hip replacement claims for legal advice about your case.

What Is Hip Replacement Surgery?

Hip replacement involves surgery to replace parts of the hip joint with an artificial prosthesis. Hip replacement is also called hip arthroplasty. The surgeon removes damaged cartilage and bone and replaces the joint with artificial parts made of plastic and metal.

Biomedical device companies develop hip replacement systems for use in surgery. These medical devices have to go through testing and clinical trials. They get approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

There are several hip replacement manufacturers, including DePuy, Biomet, and Stryker. DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. has developed several hip replacement products used in thousands of surgeries. These include the DePuy Pinnacle hip replacement and the DePuy Articular Surface Replacement (ASR) systems. Johnson & Johnson acquired DePuy in 1998.

When Do You Need a Hip Implant Surgery?

Most patients who get a hip implant device suffer damage caused by osteoarthritis. Hip joint damage can cause pain, swelling, and reduced range of motion. It can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or participate in daily activities. Many patients benefit from increased mobility and significant pain relief after surgery.

What Are the Risks of Hip Replacement Surgery?

Patients generally have to understand the risks of surgery to give informed consent. A surgeon should inform you about any risks, including bleeding, infection, and problems with the implant. However, patients generally aren’t aware of the risk that a hip implant may be defective.

You may suffer pain, infection, dislocation, and metal poisoning caused by a defective DePuy hip replacement device. It can take months or years before you find out the cause of pain and problems. You may have to get the prosthesis removed, get a replacement implant, and have more surgery.

Why Are Hip Implants Recalled by the FDA?

The FDA has a reporting system for adverse safety events associated with drugs and medical devices. Doctors can voluntarily report adverse events through the FDA’s MedWatch. If there are safety concerns, the drug or device manufacturer can initiate a voluntary recall.

There have been several recalls by hip replacement manufacturers. This includes recalls of DePuy implants that have metal-on-metal joints. The friction of the metal parts can release metal debris into the body, causing metallosis, pain, infection, and other injuries.

Doctors were advised to monitor patients with certain hip implant systems. This included:

• Measuring cobalt and chromium metal ion toxicity levels
• Cross-sectional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound scans
• Closer surveillance with elevated metal levels

If you show soft tissue reactions, fluid collections, or tissue masses, you may require revision surgery.

Can You Sue for a Defective Hip Replacement?

Drug and device manufacturers are liable for injuries caused by defective drugs and medical devices. Defective medical devices can have design defects, manufacturing defects, or warning defects. If you can show your injuries were caused by a defective product, the manufacturer is strictly liable for your damages. Compensation in a product liability claim can include money for:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical care
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering

How Can a Medical Device Lawyer Help?

You have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit for a defective DePuy ASR hip implant. The statute of limitations only allows you to claim damages within a certain number of years. The statute of limitations varies by state. In some states, you may have additional time to file a claim if you discover the injury later.

Contact a medical device lawyer as soon as possible if you’re suffering pain or illness related to a DePuy hip replacement. Your lawyer can give you a case review and tell you about your legal options. Your lawyer can file a DePuy hip replacement lawsuit to help you get compensation for your injuries.