Our law firm is representing many clients who were hurt by defective medical appliances like Depuy Orthopaedics’ hip replacement devices, whose early failure rate has been far above expectations. Depuy’s ASR metal-on-metal hip implants were recalled when health officials noticed that large number of failures and physicians determined that cobalt and chromium debris worn off the surfaces of the implant’s components was becoming lodged in patients’ muscle tissue. This buildup of toxic metals can cause muscle cell death, which doctors call necrosis.
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Even if one of the recalled hip implants is not causing its recipient pain, irreversible and spreading tissue damage may still be occurring. Other concerns currently being studied are whether cancer, birth defects, neurological deficiencies or cardiac disease can be attributed to toxic metal exposure related to a failing metal-on-metal hip implant.
DePuy and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, are reimbursing patients who received the defective medical device for removal and replacement surgery. The medical device makers will also cover the costs of other medical treatment needed by recalled hip implant recipients. However, the companies and insurers may be forced to pay much more to cover the harms and losses for patients who had this defective hardware surgically installed in their bodies. Compensable damages include lost wages, pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, scarring and loss of quality of life.
If you have questions or concerns about this recall, contact our injury law firm and we may be able to help you.
MC