DePuy Knee Replacement Lawsuit Settlement Reached in Australia
An Australian judge has approved a settlement agreement for lawsuits filed by individuals who received a recalled DePuy knee replacement, which was sold by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary outside the United States.
Under the terms of the agreement, individuals in Australia who received the DePuy LCS Duofix Femoral knee implant and subsequently had to undergo revision surgery will receive about $31,000 each, according to a report by Bloomberg News. The settlement was approved by Australian Federal Court Justice Robert Buchanan on December 3.
The Duofix was a knee replacement system designed and sold by DePuy Orthopedics, a division of Johnson & Johnson. Although the implant was sold in Australia, the U.K. and other countries, it was never introduced in the United States.
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Learn MoreAs a result of problems with the DePuy artificial knee, a recall was issued in 2009, amid reports of failures and complications that may have been associated with the design of the implant.
Justice Buchanan approved a settlement in the Australian DePuy knee replacement class action, after reviewing more than 430 inquiries, none of which provided a reason not to approve it, he said in his opinion.
Under terms of the agreement, individuals whose recalled DePuy knee implant failed and caused them to receive two or three follow-up procedures could receive additional compensation; in excess of $65,000. Even more in damages may be awarded in certain cases, to be determined on an individual basis.
DePuy Lawsuits in United States Over Defective Implants
The settlement comes as Johnson & Johnson’s unit faces thousands of lawsuits over DePuy hip replacements in the Unites States, including the DePuy ASR hip and DePuy Pinnacle hip.
The medical device maker recalled the DePuy ASR in August 2010, amid reports that the metal-on-metal system was failing in about 12% to 13% of patients within five years. About 6,000 DePuy ASR lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States by individuals who have experienced problems with their implant.
More than 3,200 DePuy Pinnacle lawsuits have also been filed, raising similar allegations of design defects that caused users to experience problems with their hip implant within a few years after surgery. Although the company has not recalled the DePuy Pinnacle hip, it involves a similar metal-on-metal design and the DePuy ASR was actually submitted to the FDA as a “substantial equivalent” to the Pinnacle.
According to allegations raised in the hip replacement lawsuits, the all metal design causes the release of microscopic metal particles into the body as the parts rub against each other. This can increase the risk of inflammation and metal blood poisoning, known as metallosis.
Manufacturers of other metal-on-metal hip replacement systems face similar claims over problems with their implants, including the Biomet M2A-Magnum hip replacement and Wright Medical Conserve Plus hip.
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PatriciaAugust 26, 2016 at 7:29 pm
I had a Depuy LCS complete in 2010 it was loosening along with a lot of other problems I had to have a revision in 2014 I'v called attorney after attorney no one is doing the LCS complete I'v hurt and I'm still hurt isn't there someone out there that will do something I need help please
RAYPHINEFebruary 8, 2016 at 6:45 pm
I have had 4 surgeries on my left knee with the DePuy Knee LCS. 1st surgery was in 2007 had to have a revision in 2010 to remove that knee and had to leave it out for 3 months before they could put another replacement back in 2011 then this knee came apart and had to have another one in 2014. Now it is still trying to come apart and I have been tested to see if I have an infection but they canno[Show More]I have had 4 surgeries on my left knee with the DePuy Knee LCS. 1st surgery was in 2007 had to have a revision in 2010 to remove that knee and had to leave it out for 3 months before they could put another replacement back in 2011 then this knee came apart and had to have another one in 2014. Now it is still trying to come apart and I have been tested to see if I have an infection but they cannot find anything. So why is the Depuy Knee not working still have constant pain, stiffness and has been miserable since I have had this done. Is having to go get this knee checked out every 6 months to see how it is progressing. Please looks like someone could help. Out of North Carolina.
KenJuly 21, 2015 at 6:34 am
MEE TOO, Total Knee replacement. than a manipulation, then a revision surgery and then another total knee replacement. all in a three year period, all on the right knee. Cant find any legal help in So. Cal. Had just turned 50 and ready to take over a $20m Business and now living on disability. Cant find any legal help. I'm still in constant pain and still on very high med's. Even to the point of h[Show More]MEE TOO, Total Knee replacement. than a manipulation, then a revision surgery and then another total knee replacement. all in a three year period, all on the right knee. Cant find any legal help in So. Cal. Had just turned 50 and ready to take over a $20m Business and now living on disability. Cant find any legal help. I'm still in constant pain and still on very high med's. Even to the point of having a Dyna Split to break scar tissue at home for 6 hours a day. NO HELP Turned out I'm Allergic to Nickel and the Depuy Knee had Cobalt/ Nickel in it. Who knows what other ailments like nerve damage, Nickel Poising are causing the continued chronic pain or not diagnosed yet. Now I tore the left knee meniscus and still have no strength in the right knee, not to mention my Baby Girl is getting Married in a few months and don't know how I'm going to walk her down the isle. This really sucks that profit trumps someone's health. This has absolutely destroyed my quality of live. I can't even walk anymore and I'm in constant pain. This is not right and it has destroyed my life as well as so many others. If either of you above found any legal help please contact me. Wish the two of you above this post the best and all you others out there.
DelindaJune 26, 2014 at 7:11 am
I had several surgeries since the first knee replacement done on 09/23/2008 on my right knee on 08/02/2010 had a revision done to replace a component that was dislocated and in 2011 had to have the 3rd surgery which was another total knee replacement with steel rods. I have been trying to find a Lawyer since 2010 been turned down more 10 times. And in 2009 I had a left knee replacement done and 20[Show More]I had several surgeries since the first knee replacement done on 09/23/2008 on my right knee on 08/02/2010 had a revision done to replace a component that was dislocated and in 2011 had to have the 3rd surgery which was another total knee replacement with steel rods. I have been trying to find a Lawyer since 2010 been turned down more 10 times. And in 2009 I had a left knee replacement done and 2014 had surgery on it to remove scare tissue and etc. If there's anyone out there that can help me get something for pain and suffering for a total of 5 knee surgeries. Please contact me through email.
JacquelynJanuary 7, 2013 at 4:03 pm
I had a Depuy knee replacement 8-14-2010 it has been nothing but pain and agony daily and I can't find not one attorney in Michigan or anywhere in these United States to defend my case. I think its a shame no one wants to help me with a product liability, personal injury, or my pain and suffering case. I hope someone sees this plea and help me to be compensated for my everyday pain and the drugs[Show More]I had a Depuy knee replacement 8-14-2010 it has been nothing but pain and agony daily and I can't find not one attorney in Michigan or anywhere in these United States to defend my case. I think its a shame no one wants to help me with a product liability, personal injury, or my pain and suffering case. I hope someone sees this plea and help me to be compensated for my everyday pain and the drugs I have to abuse my body with in order to maintain an uncomfortable life.Please! Please! Please! some Attorney any body help me!