Ellen Relkin, Co-Lead Plaintiff's Counsel in the DePuy ASR Litigation, Reports Encouraging Progress in the DePuy MDL
(Feb. 22, 2013) – As the case against DePuy Orthopaedics continues to advance, individuals harmed by the company’s recalled ASR replacement hips are advised to come forward so they too can have their day in court and seek compensation for injuries, says Ellen Relkin, Esq., co-lead plaintiffs’ counsel of the DePuy ASR Multi-District litigation.
Persons who were implanted with a DePuy ASR device are urged to contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a free consultation. The firm has been conducting investigations of possible cases since soon after DuPuy announced in mid-2010 that it had initiated a voluntary recall of its ASR hips.
Relkin notes that encouraging progress is being made daily in the DePuy ASR Multi-District litigation. She adds that plaintiffs have good facts, compelling evidence and powerful arguments working in their favor.
Relkin is co-lead plaintiffs’ counsel of the DePuy ASR Multi-District litigation (she also serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the In re: Biomet M2a Magnum Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL 239, and is both liaison counsel and Chair of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee of the New Jersey consolidated Multi-County Litigation in the In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate & ABG II Hip Implant Litigation).
DePuy ASR hips are prosthetic devices intended to replace the natural parts of a hip’s joints after they become significantly damaged due to fracture, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or tumors. The damaged joints are painful – so much so that ordinary activities, such as walking, become extremely difficult. Surgeons implant artificial hips with the aim of providing significant relief from pain and enabling resumption of routine activities.
DePuy ASR hips were marketed as a device designed to last for at least a decade or longer. However, in many instances, they wear out prematurely. Their far-sooner-than-expected failure produces in patients a range of debilitating ailments requiring costly revision surgeries and rehabilitation therapy. Patients undergoing such care also lose wages because surgical recovery time and postoperative therapy sidelines them for weeks or months. Participating in civil actions against DePuy can mean ultimately recouping those losses.
From the beginning, Weitz & Luxenberg has been a leading player in this effort to bring justice to the injured parties.
Now the Feds are looking at DePuy, as Weitz & Luxenberg continues civil action against maker of recalled hips
(Feb. 22, 2013) – Handing more ammunition to plaintiffs in the civil case against artificial hip implant maker DePuy Orthopaedics, Johnson & Johnson (the defendant’s parent company) revealed that federal prosecutors since last summer have been looking into the way it marketed DePuy’s recalled replacement hips, the Associated Press news service reported.
According to the report, the U.S. Department of Justice in August, 2012, sent an informal request to DePuy for documents concerning the company’s ASR XL hip replacements and that the requested information has been provided.
Weitz & Luxenberg is at the forefront of efforts to hold DePuy accountable in the civil case. The firm’s Ellen Relkin is serving as co-lead plaintiffs’ counsel of the DePuy ASR Multi-District litigation (she also serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the In re: Biomet M2a Magnum Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL 239, and is both liaison counsel and Chair of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee of the New Jersey consolidated Multi-County Litigation in the In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate & ABG II Hip Implant Litigation).
DePuy hip implants prove painful to woman
Common complications endured by recipients of DuPuy ASR hip implants include severe pain and swelling at the site of surgery, difficulty walking, and fatigue.
Sylvia Docherty, a senior, was prescribed a DePuy ASR hip implant after her physician diagnosed her with arthritis. To her distress, she received no relief from the hip pain. Instead, she was confined to crutches.
“I'm in constant pain, [the DePuy hip implant] has ruined my life,” she was quoted as telling the U.K. Daily Mail.
Because of the severe pain and extensive medical attention she has experienced, Docherty was forced to retire early from her job.
“'The implant destroyed a lot of the soft tissue around my hip and very high levels of chromium and cobalt have been found in my blood,” Docherty said. “I used to be very active; walking the dog and shopping with friends. But I can't do that now.”
Docherty underwent revision surgery. However, surgeons were unable to completely correct the damage caused by the implant.
DePuy hip implants explained
DePuy Orthopaedics released its ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System a decade ago. These systems were designed to either replace part of a person's hip, or all of it.
Research uncovered that the DePuy ASR™ XL Acetabular Hip System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System carried as much as a 13-percent chance of failing within five years.
When the devices fail, patients may experience pseudotumors, increased levels of chromium in the blood, loosening or dislocation of the implant, hip bone fracture, and/or inflamed joints that can complicate corrective surgery.
Weitz & Luxenberg can help patients affected by DuPuy ASR hips. The firm's knowledgeable and caring attorneys strive to deliver justice -- meaning, compensation for the harm done by the device. Compensation could be available for medical expenses, wages lost (current and future), out of pocket expenses, and the cost of hired medical help (such as a live-in nurse).
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