Expert Testifies that J&J ASR Hip Implant Failed Due to ‘Toxic Debris’
An occupational medicine specialist from the University of California, San Francisco testified in Los Angeles Superior Court that the failure of a Johnson & Johnson ASR hip implant was due to toxic exposure from the metal-on-metal device.
In the first “bellwether’ trial concerning J&J’s ASR all-metal hip replacement, attorneys for the plaintiff are seeking to bolster their contention that J&J was aware that its metal-on-metal hip implants were defective and that the company failed to warn consumers about the risks.
The metal-on-metal hip replacement attorneys at Farah & Farah in Jacksonville are keeping track of the developments of this trial. Some 10,000 lawsuits have been filed since the implants were recalled in 2010.
The plaintiff’s attorneys allege the defective hip device released toxic levels of metal ions into their client’s bloodstream and that J&J was aware of the problems with the all-metal implants as far back as 2004.
The witness testified that, although he was not involved with treating the plaintiff, he did review his medical records and concluded, “His hip failed because of toxic exposure.” Blood tests revealed that the patient’s cobalt and chromium levels were as much as seven times the normal level.
Attorneys for J&J argue that the metal levels were not high enough to cause harm. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not taken a stand on how high blood metal levels need to be before revision surgery is required, the agency has called for companies that make all-metal hip replacements to prove that their devices are safe before they can continue selling them.
If you’ve suffered injuries or health complications due to a defective metal-on-metal hip replacement, contact the law firm of Farah & Farah for updates about ongoing litigation and what your legal options might be. Call us at (800) 533-3555 or contact us online to find out how our experienced legal team can help you.
