Johnson & Johnson plans to pay more than $4 billion because of a defective metal-on-metal hip implant. The implants have been used regularly over the past eight years by thousands of Americans. The hip implant was recalled in 2010 because they were experiencing high rates of failure. Further research found that bigger problems have arisen after their implementation. The problem with the metal-on-metal ball joint hip implant is that metal ions in the implant are absorbing into the user’s bloodstream and damaging muscle and bone tissue. It could potentially be harming their internal organs as well.
The suits are just now being filed, but the implants have been known to cause problems since 2010. DePuy Orthopedics, a department of Johnson & Johnson, is the manufacturer responsible for the distribution of the defective implant. Currently, more than 7,500 lawsuits have been filed. They expect there will be more suits filed because the recall doesn’t restrict people who have yet to experience symptoms. 35,000 people in the United States and 90,000 people worldwide have the metal-on-metal implant installed. Until their recall a few years ago, metal hip implants were used in ⅓ of hip replacement surgeries and approximately 400,000 Americans undergo a hip replacement surgery every year.
Product recall is a serious situation that affects thousands of people each year. Although it is unclear how this defect slipped through regulation, there’s no doubt that other defective products will be released in the future. If you or someone you know is negatively affected by a defective product, contact the professionals at Crowe, Arnold & Majors to get the compensation you deserve!
