Laredo, Texas area teacher/counselor files suit after DePuy hip implant fails
LAREDO, TEXAS— Hilda Gibson filed suit today against DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., DePuy Inc., DePuy International, Ltd., Johnson & Johnson, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson International, Inc., seeking compensation for injuries caused by the failure of her DePuy ASR Hip System.
John David Hart of the Law Offices of John David Hart in Fort Worth, Texas, is the attorney representing Hilda Gibson in the lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio – Western District. In December 2010, the cases pending in Federal Court against DePuy and J&J regarding the ASR devices were transferred to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio before Judge David Katz. Judge Katz is presiding over the Multi-District Litigation pertaining to the DePuy ASR devices. If Ms. Gibson’s case proceeds to trial, her case may be transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas – Laredo Division.
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a division of Johnson & Johnson, Inc., recalled its ASR Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Systems on August 24, 2010. DePuy identified reasons for the failure of the devices as component loosening, malalignment, infection, fracture of the bone, dislocation, metal sensitivity and pain. The DePuy ASR devices have also been associated with increased metal ion levels in the blood. Recent information published by the British Orthopaedic Association indicates that failure rates for the ASR devices may be as high as 49% at six years.
In January 2009, at the age of 67, Ms. Gibson underwent hip replacement surgery to have a DePuy ASR Hip System implanted in her right hip. As a result of the failure of her ASR device, Ms. Gibson has suffered hip and groin pain, lower back pain on her right side, elevated levels of metal ions in her bloodstream, complications with her opposite hip, rashes and complications with her myelodysplasia condition. On May 16, 2011, she was forced to undergo surgery to have the defective device removed and replaced with another hip system.
Ms. Gibson retired from United Independent School District in 2010. She spent 40 years working as a teacher and counselor. Since her retirement, she began teaching English classes part-time for the Adult Education Program at Laredo Community College. She enjoys helping the community and has been saddened that her activities have been limited by her health concerns and additional surgery. She had to leave her part-time position to due to her surgery and recovery. She hopes to begin teaching again soon.
“Ms. Gibson has suffered tremendously because of this unsafe device,” said attorney John David Hart. “Instead of enhancing her life, this defective product has hindered her in many ways. She suffered with constant pain and was forced to undergo numerous medical tests and additional surgery that wouldn’t have been necessary had the DePuy ASR not failed. The testing of the DePuy ASR was entirely inadequate and the device should not have been on the market.”
John David Hart and the Law Offices of John David Hart represent many individuals in the United States who have been injured as a result of this defective hip replacement system. The Law Offices of John David Hart is a group of experienced and dedicated legal professionals working to protect the rights of people wronged by the acts of others. Across the country, the firm represents individuals in cases of catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, dangerous drugs and medical products, automobile and truck accidents and oil and gas litigation. For more information, please contact John David Hart at 800.961.4278 or johnhart@hartlaw.com or visit www.hiprecallinfo.com.
