DePuy Lawsuit Plaintiffs Should Refrain From Going To So-Called “Joint Registry” Sites

If not for the efforts exerted by joint registries such as those in England and Australia, the high failure rate of the ASR XL Acetabular System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System, both manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics, would not have been put to light. It was discovered that these hip replacement devices make one in eight DePuy recipients requiring a second hip replacement surgery or a revision surgery.

It is for this reason that some entities have pushed for a similar joint registry to be established in the United States. However, you should be wary of websites claiming they are government-run joint registries and that registering in their system would help you further in monitoring the status of your hip replacement. A law firm in New York has deceivingly set up such a website that just actually give them potential 'leads' for clients. They even went so far as to give out press releases from Washington DC.

Currently, there are only two recognized efforts being made that aims to put up joint registries domestically. Initiated by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the American Joint Replacement Registry is underway and is seeking to help orthopedists and patients alike. The other is mandated by the government and will monitor patient outcomes in six hopitals where most orthopedic surgeries are performed.

A professional law firm does not need to hide behind deceitful claims just to be able to help you with your legal battle against DePuy. If you wish to seek legal counsel for a DePuy hip replacement lawsuit, an experienced lawyer would assess your status efficiently and effectively.

MDL Proceeding To Be Held In Northern District Of Ohio

A Judicial Panel has decided to appoint an Ohio judge to oversee the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) of federal lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson. Evidence-gathering efforts will be supervised by U.S. District Judge David A. Katz and will be held in Toledo. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by recipients of the recalled DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System as studies indicated their tendency to fail sooner than was expected.

In the hearing set to happen on November 17 in North Carolina, the panel of seven federal judges has heard arguments from five plaintiffs as well as from DePuy as to where the pretrial litigation should take place. Various recommendations were offered by all parties including Chicago, New Orleans, North California and Warsaw, Indiana. No one suggested Ohio.

The Panel's choice of district court were explained through two separate reasons claiming, “Centralization…in the Northern District of Ohio will serve the convenience of parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation.” In addition the Transfer Order also said, “Centralization…will eliminate duplicative discovery, prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings on discovery and other issues, and conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel and the judiciary.” The MDL process is intended to organize the exchange of evidence and avoid duplication. Once pretrial proceedings are done, each case is sent back to be tried in the courts they were first filed in.

If you have been victimized by the apparent neglect DePuy made, you should seriously consider hiring the expertise of a lawyer to work with you in filing a DePuy hip replacement lawsuit. As DePuy could only promise to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses, you have a legal right to claim damages for non-monetary losses as well. Updates are always available when you visit the DePuy hip lawsuit information center.

The Different Types Of Medical Procedures You May Need After DePuy Hip Recall

It has become imperative for recipients of the recalled DePuy hip replacements to consult with their orthopedist to have themselves evaluated for their current health conditions. Defective units of the manufacturer's ASR XL Acetabular System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System were sold internationally and it would mean that the patients who have received the implants are at risk of health complications. Currently, victims have been filing DePuy hip lawsuits to claim damages.

When you have been implanted with an artificial hip device, it is important to make sure what brand of artificial hip was implanted in your body. Your surgeon or the hospital where the surgical procedure took place could give you this information. If you find out that what you have is in fact a DePuy ASR hip replacement, you may need to undergo further testing to determine the condition of the implant.

Recipients of the ASR were instructed through DePuy's website to “…return to the surgeon’s office for a follow up visit including clinical assessment and radiographic evaluation…blood testing for cobalt and chromium ion levels…and/or a MARS MRI or ultrasound if necessary.” Any testing you may need is based on what your surgeon thinks is best. One in eight patients require revision surgery. It is also possible that toxic metal debris is deposited in your body that is why you may have to undergo more specific testing procedures. To ascertain that you may protect yourself against further damage, you may need the following tests:

• Blood test that will determine the cobalt and chromium levels in your blood. A second blood test three months later may be necessary when results show that your blood has concentrations greater than 7 parts per billion of these ions.

• Your doctor may advise you to take a MARS MRI and/or an ultrasound when results of the second blood work reveals cobalt and chromium concentrations greater than 7 parts per billion.

• A revision surgery may need to take place when there is evidence of tissue damage.

• If by chance, your cobalt and chromium blood concentrations are lower than 7 parts per billion, you might still need to be tested annually.

Inasmuch as the health aspect of the situation is very important, you should also be aware that you might have to take action against DePuy for subjecting you to these series of problems that you should not have to experience. The DePuy Hip Recall Lawsuit Site may give you the answers to some of your queries regarding the ongoing litigation.