DePuy Prosthetic Lawyers Represent Hip Implant Patients Like Yourself

The pain and suffering associated with prosthetic hip implant surgery is unimaginable and could send you in search of a DePuy Prosthetic Lawyer. Why? Because the pain is excruciating before and after surgery and if something goes wrong—well you already know what happens.

Most often why surgery is required is that the patient can no longer endure the symptomatic pain of arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis are most often the culprits that drive a person to consider hip implant surgery.

By the time an arthritis patient decides to follow through with hip implant surgery, the hips that are outfitted with artificial joints have been ground down to the point that bone is scraping bone. It has been an arduous process for you, the patient. If the pre-surgery pain were not enough, the patient is then faced with the calculated risks of surgery. Of course, there are certain risks with any surgery, but hip implant patients have been compromised by defective prosthetics.

DePuy Recalls FaultyProsthetic Hip Implant

The primary offender, guilty of manufacturing faulty hip implants, is DePuy Orthopedics. During the summer of 2010, the DePuy Orthopedics division of Johnson and Johnson put out a recall on its artificial hip replacement systems. The hip replacements that were recalled were the ASR XL Acetabular System-DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System. This occurred only after a number of patients were unable to thrive after surgery. Patients complained of pain that did not subside with time and rehabilitation. Interestingly enough, just a few months before the recall, citing slow sales, Johnson and Johnson reported what was to be a gradual phase out of the product. Reports then began to surface that the implant had a high failure rate.

Following their surgeries, patients often anticipate the uncomfortable process of rehabilitation. Learning to walk on a new implanted hip joint takes time and agonizing practice—there is no secret there. And considering the extreme discomfort involved, not even a masochist would agree to surgery more than once; certainly not twice or even three times. Yet, this is exactly what some hip implant patients have been forced to endure due to flawed manufacturing of implants. Did this happen to you?

According to a New York Times report, the Food and Drug Administration had received complaints from patients of hip implants for more than two years before attention to the matter was brought to the DePuy Orthopedics division of Johnson and Johnson. What took the Food and Drug Administration so long to take action?

The Failure Rate for DePuy Hip Prosthetics is High…Why?

The statistics surrounding the failure rate of the DePuy Hip Replacement Implant are absolutely staggering. A cursory look at the data shows that between 2006 and 2009 the complaints about the product skyrocketed. Of those patients who were negatively affected, an overwhelming 90% required a second surgery.

Judging by the number of complaints received and the percentage of those patients that were forced to re-enter the operating room for second implants, the first accusation by DePuy that surgeons were at fault for improper implant practices was easily debunked. The fault lies now directly at the feet of Johnson and Johnson and DePuy Orthopedics. As a direct result, the company has incurred hundreds of DePuy Hip Prosthetics lawsuits.

Many experts believe the DePuy implant is susceptible to problems due to the shallow design of its product–shallow in the sense that the ‘cup’ structure of the implant is shallower than similar implants manufactured by other companies. The result is making a poor fit and an elevated failure rate. The New York Times reported that DePuy informed doctors that their patients who were of small stature faced a higher risk of malfunction. Since women most often fall under this category, a larger rate of occurrence can be found in them. People with weak bones have also found themselves more likely to fall into this category.

Signs That May Point to Implant Failure

If you have a DePuy Hip Prosthetics implant, it is important that you are made aware of the symptoms of implant failure. Should you find yourself noticing any of these signs, contact your doctor immediately. Then procure a meeting with a DePuy Hip Prosthetics lawyer.

So what should you look for? Well, first and foremost, significant swelling is a sign of prosthetic hip implant failure, especially after a reasonable amount of time has passed following surgery. Other symptoms include, difficulty walking and abnormal amounts of pain. After all, if the implant is successful, then the patient should find his condition improving rather than declining. As mentioned above, if you experience any of these symptoms, see your physician. Do not attempt to diagnose yourself–only a professionally trained doctor can accurately diagnose your symptoms.

What Can Our DePuy Hip Prosthetics Recall Lawyers Do for You?

The Ogletree Abbott Law Firm is prepared in such cases that indicate imperfect prosthesis. If you or a family member is one of the 90% of hip replacement patients that is unfortunate enough to receive a recalled DePuy hip implant, our firm stands ready to present your argument. Our prosthetic recall lawyers will advocate for you and are prepared to represent you.

Even in the event that you have not received your corrective surgery, if you anticipate the possibility then you should get in contact with us immediately. In fact, the sooner the better! Patients should be aware, that DePuy, has in some cases claimed that problems associated with the recalled implants have been the fault of the affected patient. This drives home the need for expedient legal representation. As in many other situations that call for legal representation, time is of the essence.

A manufacturer can claim any number of reasons why a product failed, improper use of the product, a pre-existing condition, and complications arising from outside influences. DePuy has asserted these claims in certain instances, which is why you need a DePuy Hip Prosthetic Lawyer who will represent your medical and legal interests. The Ogletree Abbott Law Firm will provide qualified representation with this type of medical litigation and has your best interest at heart. We will assist you in discovering if you are entitled to compensation and to recover damages in a lawsuit against DePuy you in a carefully plotted DePuy hip prosthetics lawsuit.

Bottom Line—If You Have Trouble with Your DePuy Hip Implant, Contact Us Now

Time is not on your side if you are a recipient of a DePuy Prosthetic Hip Implant. It has been documented, that persons legally represented in DePuy hip prosthetic lawsuits have been accused by the company of waiting too long before presenting the suit. You must act fast to determine if DePuy produced your implant.

You Can Put an End to the Suffering

The Ogletree Abbott Law Firm is your compassionate advocate. Our lawyers will represent you or your family member in the event of a defective prosthetic implant and will fight for you tooth and nail until you are made whole once again.

Please do not suffer any longer. Contact our office today for your free consultation by calling 713-223-1234 or 800-779-4950.