Manufacturer of Defective Hip Replacement Implants Paid Kickbacks to Doctors

The Archives of Internal Medicine found that hip replacement manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson's subsidiary, DePuy Orthopaedic, Inc. have been paying kickbacks to doctors in exchange for positive press.

Over the past decade hip implant manufacturers forged partnerships with influential Orthopedic physicians to promote their hip implant devices in the medical community. Half of the articles published by these doctors made no mention of corporate payments received, encouraging doctors to overlook the true risks of hip replacement surgery and implant failure.

A criminal suit filed in 2008 by the federal prosecutors against medical device makers Stryker Corp, DePuy Orthopaedic, Inc. and Zimmer Inc. resulted in a $311 million fine, yet the practice of "payments for promotion" still runs rampant.

Doctors on the hip implant manufacturers' payroll prospered while misleading other physicians and the public at large. USA Today reported that 41 doctors have accepted $114 million in kickback payments from DePuy Orthopaedic, Inc. and other him implant companies. In 2007 these doctors made between $1 million to $8 million each.

DePuy Orthopaedic, Inc. and parent company Johnson & Johnson are currently embroiled in a public relations nightmare as a hip implant recall has been issued for all ASR XL Acetabular and ASR Hip Resurfacing systems.

News has surfaced that personal injury lawyers across the nation are filing lawsuits on behalf of hip replacement recall victims as far away as Europe and Australia. Out of the 93,000 patients worldwide that received an ASR hip implant, an estimated 1 out of 8 are expected to require a painful and debilitating second hip revision surgery.

For Johnson & Johnson this is the 11th product recall issued this year. Besides being another embarrassing mistake, the company is facing a class action lawsuit that could end up in a multi-billion dollar judgment.

Product liability attorney, Larry Nagelberg of Los Angeles based Nagelberg Bernard Law Group said, "93,000 hip replacement victims have been betrayed by the doctors that are supposed to be looking out for their well being." Nagelberg continued, "Johnson & Johnson's negligence and manipulation of the health care system has caused pain, suffering, and anxiety for thousands of innocent people."

Nagelberg gave the following advice for victims of the hip replacement recall to protect themselves from further harm.

1. Contact your physician immediately to determine if your hip replacement device may put you at risk for medical complications.

2. Seek the advice of an experienced and reputable Personal Injury Lawyer for a free consultation to determine if you have a valid defective hip replacement recall claim.

3. DO NOT under any circumstances speak to any DePuy Orthopedic or Johnson & Johnson representatives or sign any documents. Anything you say or any documents that you sign may endanger your personal injury claim and be used against you as evidence in court.

4. Follow the directions of your personal injury attorney. Your attorney will ensure that your rights are protected, you receive the best medical care possible, and you are justly compensated for any loss of income and pain and suffering that you endure.

Further Information on the Hip Implant Recall:

DePuy Orthopaedic, Inc. Hip Implant Recall Press Release - http://www.depuy.com/corporate-information/depuy-divisions/depuy-orthopaedics-inc/landasr

Archive of Internal Medicine Report on Corporate Payments to Doctors - http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/archinternmed.2010.341v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=orthopaedic+surgeon+compansation+depuy&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Nagelberg Bernard Law Group Hip Replacement Recall Lawsuit Information - http://www.4injured-losangeles.com/practice-areas/product-liability/hip-replacement-recall/