Jury ordered Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy orthopedic unit to pay more than $8.3 Million in Damages

In Tennessee and all across the country and even the world, we have all heard reports about the Depuy hip implant recall and metal on metal hip recalls. The original Depuy hip recall occured in August of 2010. Since then, many people have experienced pain and problems and even needed additional surgery to fix or replace their implants. If you or someone you love have had pain or hip problems since your implant and think you may have a Depuy hip implant, you should talk to a Tennessee hip implant recall lawyer right away. They will hear your case and work with you to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

In the first hip recall case to go to trial, a jury on Friday, March 8th, 2013, found that the hip implants were defective, but that DePuy did not act with fraud or malice. DePuy was ordered to pay more than $338,000 in medical costs and $8 million for pain and suffering to plaintiff Loren Kransky. No punitive damages were awarded. Another case involving a lawsuit filed by a retired prison guard suffering from kidney cancer and other ailments, states that this verdict bodes well for this case as well as other cases, while DePuy said it would appeal.

Jeff Jonas, an analyst for Gabelli & Co, stated that Johnson & Johnson unit will eventually offer a national settlement, under which thousands of hip plaintiffs would likely take what is offered rather than face years of litigation and appeals. The recall of the Depuy hip implants began in 2010, prompted by recognition that the devices were failing at higher-than-expected rates. Some 93,000 ASR hips were sold prior to the recall.

Loire Gawreluk, a spokeswoman for DePuy stated that, “We believe ASR XL was properly designed, and that Deputy’s actions concerning the product were appropriate and responsible.” She also stated that, the planned appeal will be based on grounds including the fact that the court did not allow the company to tell the jury that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had reviewed the device and cleared it for sale.

In Loren Kransky case, it has been stated that, “the jury’s decision is the first day of reckoning for DePuy and Johnson & Johnson … We expect to get punitive damages in the next trial.” The case claimed that the ASR hip resulted in elevated levels of cobalt and chromium in Kransky, causing him pain that required the hip to be replaced. The J&J lawyers that there is no medical consensus on what levels of the metals may cause harm to patients and said Kransky’s other medical problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and kidney cancer, were the source of his pain and suffering.

Another hip implant trial in Illinois state court starts on Monday March 11, 2013. Two cases in federal multi district litigation are set for trial in May and July in Ohio.

Cases just like this one have spread across the country and affected millions of people, including Tennessee residents. If you or someone you care about has experienced pain or problems in your health after having a hip implant and you think it may be part of the Depuy hip implant recall, then you should contact one of our experienced and compassionate Tennessee Depuy hip implant recall attorneys immediately. We care about our clients and will work with you to see that you get the compensation you are entitled to for the suffering you have been through.