Austin, Texas area woman files suit after both DePuy ASR XL hip implants fail, causing extremely elevated levels of metal debris in the blood
AUSTIN, TEXAS—Vickie Barber and her husband, Andrew, filed suit today against DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson, Inc. seeking compensation for injuries caused by the failures of Vickie’s two DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip Replacement Systems. John David Hart of the Law Offices of John David Hart in Fort Worth, Texas, is the attorney representing Vickie and Andrew Barber in the lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas in Austin.
In December, 2006, Mrs. Barber underwent hip replacement surgery to have a DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System implanted in her left hip. In December, 2009, she underwent hip replacement surgery to have a DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System implanted in her right hip. Since the surgical implantation of the ASR XL Acetabular Hip Replacement Systems, Mrs. Barber has suffered severe and debilitating injuries, including elevated levels of chromium and cobalt in her blood. She was required to have surgeries to remove both DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Systems from her hips and revise them with other hip replacement systems in November, 2010 and March, 2011.
“Vickie is deeply concerned about the long term effects of the elevated metal ion levels in her blood stream. These levels were extremely high prior to the devices being replaced,” said attorney John David Hart. “Vickie continues to struggle with problems with both hips even after revision surgeries. Vickie’s life is forever changed as a result of these dangerous, unsafe medical products.”
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a division of Johnson and Johnson, Inc., recalled its ASR XL Acetabular metal-on-metal hip replacement system on August 24, 2010. This recall came after data from a recent study indicated that the five year failure rate of this product is approximately 13%, or more than 1 out of every 8 patients. DePuy identified reasons for the failure of the hip replacement system as component loosening, component malalignment, infection, fracture of the bone, dislocation, metal sensitivity and pain. Additional complications from the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip Replacement System may include increased metal ion levels in the blood, bone staining, necrosis, swelling, nerve damage, tissue damage and/or muscle damage. This device was marketed by DePuy Orthopaedics as a high performance hip replacement system. Recent information published by the British Orthopaedic Association indicates that failure rates at six years may be as high as 49%.
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.
