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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.


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