Johnson & Johnson Settles Hip Implant Cases For $500 Million
On Thursday, a Texas federal jury ordered Johnson & Johnson and its DePuy medical device division to pay roughly $500 million to victims who claimed they were harmed by the companies’ Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implants.
The plaintiffs in the case stated that the hip implants, which were discontinued in 2013, malfunctioned and caused debilitating injuries. They also alleged that Johnson & Johnson and DePuy knew about these risks, yet they failed to warn consumers.
In addition to the hip implant cases, Johnson & Johnson has settled multiple defective product lawsuits, including one for $72 million for the family of a woman who died after developing cancer that was linked to the company’s talcum powder.
FAULTY HIP IMPLANTS CAUSE HARM
Johnson & Johnson and DePuy’s Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant device was promoted as durable, safe, and long-lasting. It was marketed strongly for use in patients who were physically active and youthful.
Despite the company’s claims that the device had been properly researched and marketed correctly, thousands of patients filed a lawsuit against the companies after being implanted with the device.
The five plaintiffs in Thursday’s case received the Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant between 2009 and 2012. According to their complaints, the device malfunctioned more often and faster than anticipated.
The product’s failure resulted in a multitude of health complications, including bone erosion, tissue death, and elevated levels of poisonous metals in the bloodstream.
PINNACLE HIP IMPLANT FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE
After a two-month trial and week-long deliberation, jurors determined the design of the Pinnacle metal-on-metal hip implant device was defective. Jurors also stated that Johnson & Johnson and DePuy were in fact negligent when they failed to issue public warnings regarding the risks associated with the device’s use.
The jury awarded the plaintiffs approximately $140 million in compensation and $360 million in punitive damages.
The verdict in this trial, as well as the verdict in a 2014 Pinnacle hip implant trial, will be used to determine the value of some 8,000 additional hip implant claims that have been consolidated in the federal court of Texas.
If a faulty medical device, such as the Pinnacle hip implant, has caused you undue harm, you may be entitled to compensation.
The
personal injury lawyers in Cincinnati at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy will aggressively pursue your claim and work to maximize compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
