- DANGEROUS DEFECT COULD AFFECT GLASGOW, LOTHIAN AND GRAMPIAN AREAS THE MOST
The number of Scots victims who could be entitled to compensation after suffering from a defective metal on metal hip implant which has been found to cause symptoms such as non-cancerous tumours and muscle wastage could run into thousands, a leading solicitor has said.
The comments come as Scotland’s leading personal injury experts, Thompsons Solicitors, launch a new service for the victims of defective metal on metal hip replacement components produced by DePuy – a company owned by Johnson and Johnson. The new service “Hip Compensation Claims” offers victims free legal advice on the issue and will give clients access to experts in compensation law to get them the best possible redress.
The implants were withdrawn almost a year ago following grave concerns over the dangers posed to those fitted with the implants. It is still not known whether other brands of hip replacement are also affected.
DePuy ASR implants have been in clinical use in the UK since 2003. The DePuy ASR XL Acetabular Hip System and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System were recalled back in 2010 after it was found that wear from the implants was leaking high levels of cobalt and chromium into the blood which has been linked with extreme pain, non-cancerous tumours and muscle wastage. There are a number of possible symptoms which include:
- Groin or hip pain
- Trouble walking
- Clicking of your hip
- Inflammation
- Loss of feeling in your legs
Manufacturers DePuy say that around 93,000 of the implants were used worldwide.
According to NHS figures a total of 54,450 hip replacements have been carried out in Scotland since the implants’ introduction in 2003. Glasgow, Lothian and Grampian areas could be worst hit by the hip problems with the highest number of hip operations being carried out in those three health board areas.
Speaking of the new Scottish service, Solicitor Advocate Patrick McGuire, said:
“The withdrawal of the DePuy ASR models of hip implants was a very concerning event. They were found to have serious problems and can cause some very painful symptoms.
“We’ve only recently started to see the real effects of these defective metal on metal hip implants come through. People can be in great pain and have to undergo serious operations to rectify the problem. At the moment it is just the DePuy models which have been identified as defective, but it is really unknown whether other brands are also affected.
“Thousands of hip replacements are carried out a year across Scotland, so it is safe to say that this could affect thousands of patients.
“The victims of this dangerous defect deserve redress for their pain, suffering and worry. Through Hip Compensation Claims we aim to offer them the best legal support possible to get them the best compensation.
“If people think they could be affected they should contact us for free advice on their legal rights.”
