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DePuy Orthopaedics, the manufacturer of the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, has announced a recall from all the recipients of the said implants.  The devices are said to be defective, after the patients reported excruciating pain only after a few years after they were surgically implanted.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, or the AAOS, in its annual meeting, presented the findings of their study. According to the Rothman Institute, the younger population, specifically those aged under 65, are the most common hip replacement patients. The life expectancy of the average American is even expected to increase by the year 2050.

Since younger patients are basically more active than older ones, increased wear on the artificial hip occurs. The younger population and the projected increase in life expectancy of Americans make it rather understandable that hip replacement surgeries are as important as looking after one’s health. From this study by the Rothman Institute, it can be implied that hip replacement surgeries will help promote the quality of life, of course with the best metal hip implants.

DePuy is already in serious legal trouble right now. This is all because of the failing implants that the company has produced which they all sold to thousands of hopeful patients. The damage for every plaintiff is unique in itself, because they depend on the quality of life, such as the life expectancy. The older the person, the more risk goes for that person to undergo hip replacement at some point in life. From this, DePuy would probably award less damages to the older recipients, technically because they have fewer years of life remaining compared to that of a younger adult’s quality of life.

If you have been affected by the recall, a competent hip replacement attorney can help you out. Your rights have been violated. It is time that you speak up against DePuy.

 
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When DePuy Orthopaedics announced a complete recall of their metal hip implants, specifically the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, the Johnson & Johnson company stated that they are willing to pay for all the expenses and additional costs. These include various laboratory exams, such as that of blood tests, X-rays, MRIs and other indicated procedures. These are expected after it was revealed that the metal-on-metal hip implants produced by DePuy had a unusually high failure rate of 12-13%. In fact, 1 in every 8 recipients of the replacements will be advised for another hip replacement surgery. It is quite unjust, if you should add.

To address this growing issue, the company has organized their own claims process to arrange reimbursements to those affected. Recipients will receive some paperwork, which includes a letter of payment authorization and a medical authorization form. All these documents are sent to DePuy as part of the whole process.

However, they also request the doctors to assist them in collecting the extracted implants from those who underwent the revision surgeries. Apparently, they have authorized third-party laboratories to examine these implants. It is a bit surprising, and even suspicious, that DePuy is actually taking control of the hip implants. What for, exactly? DePuy might be looking for loopholes, searching for details and imploring evidences so that the recipients get the blame instead. Why surrender the implant then? Recipients need not to, if they are unwilling. After all, the hip replacements remain to be under their property, so only them can decide whatever is to do with them.

Think of what you can do before you surrender the extracted hip implant. That can be used to file a lawsuit against the company. Make an informed choice. Before DePuy outsmarts you, you ought to talk to a hip recall lawyer first. In this way, you can make the best decisions through the help of someone experienced in dealing with product liability cases.