"Do I have a DePuy hip implant lawsuit?" Top 7 things to consider

One of the responsibilities of our ARS hip implant lawyers is to ensure everyone, clients and non-clients, are informed before they file a DePuy hip implant lawsuit.  We have put together a list of 7 questions and thoughts that you need to consider before you make any decision on what step to take next:

1. How will I know if my DePuy hip implant is included in the recall?

First, you need to determine if the hip implants were one of either the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System or the ASR XL Acetabular System. If you do not recall the name of the device, you need to contact your physician or the local hospital where you had the procedure performed.  They will have records that can identify the device that was implanted the day of your surgery.

2. If you know you received one of the defective ARS DePuy hip implants, but you aren't having side effects, it's still a good idea to contact a defective hip implant lawyer.

It's possible that your implant may not be giving you problems at the moment.  However, due to the Depuy's "metal-on-metal" construction of the implant, the device has been shown to shed shards of metallic debris over an extended period of time.  (Certain patients have exhibited a higher than normal level of cobalt and chromium ions in their blood.) Therefore, never assume that your implant is never going to present problems to you at a later date.  It's ALWAYS a good idea to have any potential claim investigated and all side-effects investigated by your doctor, no matter how small they may seem.

3. What are the symptoms I should be looking for to know if my DePuy ARS implant is failing?

No list of symptoms should ever be considered conclusive; however, the following are some of the more immediate threats associated with defective ARS devices. They include pain in the are where the implant was inserted, swelling, infection, loss of mobility, a popping noise, loosening of the implant cup, dislocations, bone fractures, etc.    

4. NEVER contact DePuy Orthopaedics before contacting a qualified lawyer that is handling the DePuy lawsuit.

The reason is simple: DePuy has known about this problem for quite some time but failed to warn patients or issue a timely recall.  What would give you reason to believe they are willing to do the right thing now? However, if you have already contacted them, we would advise you to immediately stop all conversations and contact a lawyer handling DePuy lawsuits. 

5. If I contact one of the lawyers in your firm that is handling the DePuy defective hip lawsuits, how are they going to help me?

There are 3 very important things that a qualified products liability firm can do for you: 

a.) If we determine that you have a possible lawsuit against DePuy, we will take every necessary step to ensure that your case is presented to those liable in the most effective, professional manner possible. Our preparation and handling of a case ensures you are not ignored.

b.) If we determine that you have a potential claim, we will ensure that your claim is protected. There is a time limit in which you have to file a potential claim, and if you miss that deadline, you are forever barred from making a recovery, no matter the severity of your damages.

c.) If we determine that you have a potential hip injury claim, our goal is to ensure that you receive the highest compensation possible for your damages as well as pain and suffering.

6. These lawsuits must be expensive; I probably can't afford your law firm.

Not true.  Though the DePuy defective hip lawsuits will be extremely complex and require a large amount of up-front costs to present your case, you will never be asked to pay any up-front costs associated with your potential claim. 

7. How long will the DePuy defective hip lawsuits take?

No one knows. While it's true that these types of cases never settle overnight, the benefits of obtaining a DePuy lawyer far outweigh those of not hiring legal counsel.