The New York Times reports that Johnson & Johnson will pay $8.3 million in damages to a man who was given a faulty hip implant. The implant, called the Articular Surface Replacement, was recalled three years ago. More than 10,000 similar lawsuits are pending against Johnson & Johnson about the hip implant. Johnson & Johnson said in a statement that the verdict was mixed and that the manufacturer will appeal the verdict in the future.
According to a Los Angeles jury, the all-metal hip implant was defectively designed. Another trial for the product was schedule to begin in Chicago. Currently, new sources speculate whether the L.A. jury verdict will influence the outcome of other cases. In the first hip implant case, J&J was ordered to pay the man more than $300,000 in medical expenses. The additional $8 million was order to cover emotional suffering. The jury did not grant the Montana plaintiff punitive damages.
If future lawsuits against the company are successful, Johnson & Johnson may have to pay out billions of dollars to plaintiffs across the country. According to Johnson & Johnson, about 40% of the hip implant recipients will have to undergo a second surgery to replace the product. According to plaintiff’s, the metal pieces of the implant can rub against each other, causing small pieces of metal to detach from the product. Some patients suffered serious and permanent injuries from the defect.
At the Senators Law Firm, we believe that manufacturers should be held responsible for the injuries that they cause – especially if they result in a permanent or debilitating medical condition. Our team of lawyers is ready to help victims of defective medical products obtain the compensation they need and deserve. If you or a loved one suffered because of faulty hip implant, contact our legal team today.