The Settlement Oversight Committee recently released an overview of the benefits provided by the U.S. ASR Settlement Program:

 ASR SETTLEMENT – BENEFITS OVERVIEW

Prepared by the Settlement Oversight Committee

The ASR Settlement provides for three basic areas of compensation. The first is a Base Payment to all ASR Claimants (XL and resurfacing) who have undergone a revision surgery, removing the acetabular cup, prior to August 31, 2013. The second is for Claimants who have undergone a revision surgery in both their left and right hips (Bilateral Claimants). The third addresses patients who have suffered a variety of medical complications following a revision surgery (Extraordinary Injury Fund). A summary of these three (3) areas of benefits is outlined below.¹ In addition, the Settlement provides for the resolution of healthcare insurance liens for medical costs that are directly associated with the revision surgery, at no additional cost to the claimant.

 ¹If not represented by an attorney, see section on Unrepresented Claimants.

 BASE PAYMENT –

CLAIMANTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE AN ASR REVISION SURGERY

Eligibility

• Must be a United States patient defined as follows:
  • Patient is a United States Citizen with ASR Hip Implant Implanted Inside of the United States (as defined) is eligible.
  • Patient is a United States Citizen with ASR Hip Implant Implanted Outside of the United States (as defined) is not eligible.
  • Patient is a United States Legal Resident with ASR Hip Implant Implanted Inside of United States (as defined) is eligible.
  • Patient is a United States Legal Resident with ASR Hip Implant Implanted Outside of United States (as defined) is no eligible.
• Implantation of ASR XL or ASR Resurfacing (ASR Index Surgery).
• Revision (removal) surgery prior to August 31, 2013 and at least six (6) months after ASR Index Surgery.

Benefit

Base payment: $250,000

Reductions: The Base Payment will be subject to certain reductions, the majority of reduction categories will result in additional funds for the Extraordinary Injury Fund (EIF) to further compensate Claimants. It is estimated that the reductions will add over $40 million to the EIF Fund.

• Duration of implantation (See Section 7.1.2)
  • 180 days ≤ X < 5 years                       $250,000
  • 5 years ≤ X < 6 years                           $225,000
  • 6 years ≤ X < 7 years                           $200,000
  • 7 years ≤ X ≤ 8 years                           $150,000

All further reductions will be calculated after this “Duration of Implantation” reduction is taken. (See Section 7.1.2)

• Smoking at the time of Revision Surgery: 5% Reduction
• Body Mass Index (Height to Weight at Index Surgery) Reduction
  • BMI ≥35: 5%
  • BMI ≥40: 15%
  • BMI ≥50: 20%
• Death ≤ 5 years of Revision Surgery:  25% Reduction
• Age at the time of ASR Index Surgery Reduction
  • ≥ 70 ‐ 4%
  • ≥ 75 ‐ 8%
  • ≥ 80 ‐ 12%
  • ≥ 85 – 15%
• ASR was not the Claimant’s initial implant: 5% Reduction

Exclusions:

Infection:  Where infection was the “sole” cause of a patient’s revision surgery the patient will not be eligible to participate in the Settlement. This exclusion only applies to revisions that occur within 547 days (1.5 years) of initial implantation. The diagnosis of infection will require the satisfaction of specific criteria. These excluded claimants retain all rights in the legal system.

Trauma:  Where trauma is the “immediate” cause of a Claimant’s revision surgery, the Claimant will not be eligible to participate in the Settlement, unless it is established that revision surgery would have been required in the “near term” regardless of the trauma. The Settlement Agreement specifies specific criteria for the diagnosis of trauma. (See Section 1.2.35)

BILATERAL  ASR HIP REVISIONS

The Bilateral ASR Fund is designed to compensate claimants who have undergone an ASR Revision Surgery on both the left and right hips prior to 8/31/13. Claimants who have had only (1) of their (2) ASR implants removed shall retain all legal rights for the unrevised implant. (See Section 8.3.1)

Eligibility

1.     Must qualify for a Base Payment Award.
2.     Must have both left and right ASR implants removed prior to August 31, 2013

Benefit

The second ASR revision ‐ $250,000 (the first ASR revision will be compensated pursuant to the Base Payment provisions) (See Section 8.3.3)

Reductions

There will be no reductions to the Award for the second ASR revision surgery.² (See Section 8.3.3)

 ² If not represented by an attorney, see section on Unrepresented Claimants.

 EXTRAORDINARY INJURY FUND (EIF)

The Extraordinary Injury Fund (EIF) will compensate claimants for complications resulting from revision surgery. The final details of this Fund, including estimated Benefit amounts, will be posted to the website in the near future.

Eligibility

A claimant must qualify for a Base Payment to be eligible for an EIF award. Thereafter, specific criteria will determine what, if any, EIF Benefits will be awarded.

Benefit–PAST

Claimants who suffer losses and/or injuries occurring prior to April 1, 2014 and related to their revision surgery may be entitled to Benefits.

Benefit categories will include the following:

• Re‐Revision Surgery: The removal of a cup implanted during the ASR revision surgery or during subsequent re‐revision surgeries on the same hip. (See Section 8.4.4.1)
• Pulmonary Embolism and/or Deep Vein Thrombosis Dislocation
• Dislocation of Implant
• Foot Drop
• Infection Post‐Revision or Re‐Revision
• Myocardial Infarction
• Stroke
• Death
• Miscellaneous: This category of Benefits will address losses and/or injuries related to revision surgery and not specifically addressed in other provisions of the settlement or anticipated. Lost wages may be considered under this category. (See Section 8.4.15)

Benefit–FUTURE

Eligible Claimants whose ASR was revised prior to August 31, 2013 and who suffer injuries and losses as a result of a re‐revision surgery after April 1, 2014 but prior to August 31, 2015 will be entitled to Benefits.  The Benefit categories will be similar to those included in past EIF Benefits subject to certain time limitations. Future Benefits will be in amounts that are less than the amounts awarded for comparable past EIF claims.

Reductions Past and Future

All EIF Benefits, past and future, will be subject to reductions for smoking, BMI and death within (5) years of the ASR revision surgery.

UNREPRESENTED CLAIMANTS

The stated benefit amounts include funds to be paid as attorney fees. Claimants without lawyers should receive approximately the same net amount as claimants who have lawyers.  The total payment to qualified unrepresented claimants will be equal to 71% of the stated benefits in acknowledgement of the fact that they do not have to pay attorneys’ fees.  There will be an additional Court approved deduction for common benefit fees and expenses. A Claimant need not be represented by a lawyer to submit a claim to the U.S. Program.