The two multidistrict litigations against Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy all-metal hip replacement devices have both scheduled bellwether trials for next year.
In a status conference on August 9th for MDL 2244, against DePuy Pinnacle hip replacements, Judge James Kinkeade established several deadlines for bellwether cases. A list of requested persons to be examined by the deposition will be provided by the plaintiffs’ counsel on October 29th of this year. By December 31st this year, the defendants must produce all relevant documents. Finally, by September 2nd, 2013, both parties must recommend 4 to 6 cases to be tried as bellwether cases. The first bellwether case must be ready for trial by September 4th, 2014.
In the DePuy ASR hip replacement MDL, 2197, bellwether cases are coming up a little sooner. The first bellwether case will be tried on May 6th 2013, the second following two months later on July 8th, 2013.
Both the Pinnacle and ASR hip replacement devices are metal-on-metal assemblies, which have recently been found to have a higher failure rate than other types of hip replacement devices. The devices typically fail between 2 to 3 years after the surgery. They can also cause tissue degeneration, infection, and metallosis from metal shavings entering the blood stream.
In 2010, Johnson & Johnson recalled ASR and Pinnacle implants. Recently, some of the first ASR device trials settled out of court for less money than expected.
If you or a loved one have had one of these hip replacement devices implanted, and are suffering serious health problems related to the device, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced lawyers at the Strom Law Firm specialize in defective device litigation, and understand the suffering you have experienced. We offer free consultations to help get you on the road to recovery, so contact us today. 803.252.4800.
