Johnson & Johnson Authorizes Billions to Compensate Recipients of Defective Hip Replacements
Johnson & Johnson, maker of ASR artificial hips through its DePuy Orthopedics unit, has agreed to pay at least $2.47 Billion to compensate individuals who received defective hip replacements. The total cost of the settlement may climb to over $4 Billion by the time all is said and done.
While most hip replacements are designed to last for 15-20 years, unreasonably high numbers of the ASR models have been shown to fail after only 2-5 years. Patients have experienced pain and hip dislocations and have had to undergo painful revision surgeries to correct problems or have the ASR replaced with a different model. Moreover, the metal-on-metal design of the ASR has the potential to send toxic metal debris of chromium and cobalt into the bloodstream and surrounding tissues, which can lead to tissue death and serious systemic injuries.
This settlement comes in the face of 12,000 lawsuits already filed against Johnson & Johnson and DePuy. Last March, a jury in a Los Angeles courtroom awarded $8.3 Million to the plaintiffs in the first case to be tried to a verdict. It is unknown just how many patients received a DePuy ASR hip replacement before the defective products were recalled, but 93,000 had already been sold worldwide, including 33,000 in the United States.
How much do claimants receive under the settlement?
Claimants can receive a base award of $250,000, which is subject to reductions based on certain factors. Claimants who suffered extraordinary injuries can receive an additional amount above the base award.
Who is eligible to participate in the settlement?
This settlement covers anyone who received a DePuy ASR hip replacement and later had it removed, subject to the following conditions: The ASR must have been implanted for at least 180 days before removal, and the removal surgery must have taken place by August 31, 2013. If you are a member of this class and have not yet retained an attorney, contact our office and we will help you to get paid. Time is of the essence because you must submit your claim within the applicable window period to be eligible for compensation.
If you are not included in the settlement because you had the ASR for less than 180 days, had it removed after August 31st, or have not yet had it removed, you should still contact our office because chances are that you will still be entitled to compensation.
About Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy
The law firm of Magaña, Cathcart & McCarthy has been representing accident victims in Los Angeles for over 60 years. Our office has successfully represented injured individuals in many types of multidistrict and class action litigation, including representing many individuals in the current DePuy ASR hip replacement litigation.
