DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers

In late August 2010 DePuy Orthopedics finally decided that is recalling parts used for hip replacement surgeries. The problem is that people who had hip replacement surgery with the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System or the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System are ending up needing repeat surgeries at a much higher rate than ordinarily would be expected. The second surgical procedure is called revision surgery. New data suggests that within 5 years, one out of every eight patients will need a revision surgical procedure (12-13% 5-year revision rate—which is totally unacceptable).

About 93,000 people have recalled products, and many of these individuals are going to need hip revision surgeries. The recalled hip implants involve a metal-on-metal system that can apparently cause tiny particles of metal often containing chromium- to break off into the patient. This can, and often does, lead to pain, difficulty walking, and other symptoms. The risk of needing revision surgery is highest for women.

To make matters worse for DePuy, on August 19, 2010, the FDA issued a warning letter to the President of DePuy warning them that they were marketing hip replacement parts illegally (TruMatch Personalized Solutions System and the Corail Hip System are the specific product lines mentioned in the warning letter). Basically, DePuy failed to get pre-market approval from the FDA for the marketing of these devices. The FDA also asked DePuy to stop marketing the Corail Hip System for unapproved uses. DePuy Orthopedics is a Division of Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson has had numerous product recalls since late 2009. In addition to the fact that those individuals with the recalled hip products may need revision surgery, there is also concern that the chemicals in the recalled product (chromium, etc.) could cause non-cancerous tumors and tissue damage.

If you or your loved ones have had a hip surgery please contact the personal injury lawyers at our law firm by calling 301-589-2999 so that we can determine whether you may have a valid legal claim. The phone consultation is free and we would be happy to answer your questions. We handle hip injury cases throughout the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area including Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Our legal team includes two lawyers who are also Registered Nurses to assist us in evaluating your hip injury case.