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DePuy Orthopaedics to pay $2.5 billion in ASR Hip System settlement

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DePuy Orthopaedics and the court-appointed committee of lawyers representing the ASR Hip System patients announced a settlement agreement of $2.5 billion for the orthopedic company to compensate eligible patients in the United States who had revision surgery to replace ASR hips. The settlement is based on an estimate of 8,000 patients who participated in the recall program, according to a company press release.

“We are committed to the well-being of ASR patients, as demonstrated by the voluntary recall and the program providing support for recall-related care,” Andrew Ekdahl, worldwide president of DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, stated in the release. “The U.S. settlement program provides compensation for eligible patients without the delay and uncertainty of protracted litigation. DePuy remains committed to our purpose of advancing innovative treatment options to serve those who need joint replacement surgery.”

The settlement affects patients who had revision surgery to remove their ASR hip as of Aug. 31, 2013. In the release, DePuy encouraged patients to speak with their lawyer if they have one, go to www.USASRHipSettlement.com or call 877-391-3169. For patients who had revision surgery after Aug. 31, 2013, the Broadspire program is available to provide support for recall-related care, and patients should call 888-627-2677 for more information.

To date, more than 10,000 lawsuits for failed ASR implants have been filed in state and federal courts regarding the DePuy ASR product. Approximately 93,000 patients worldwide were treated with these prostheses. One-third of the patients are located in the United States.

The first ASR trial was held in Los Angeles on Jan. 25. The plaintiff, Loren “Bill” Kransky, was awarded $8.3 million on March 8. That number was later reduced to $8.26 million in April after both parties agreed $338,136.12 awarded for medical costs “should be reduced under Montana law to account for amounts payable by a collateral source,” according to a press release. A plantiff in the second trial held in Cook County, Ill. in April was awarded no damages.