As we previously reported, the first trial in the DePuy ASR hip litigation began in late January 2013, in California. Almost 4 weeks later, the trial continues. Since Johnson & Johnson’s recall of the DePuy ASR in August 2010, approximately 10,000 lawsuits have been filed nationwide.

On February 21, 2013, a toxicologist, Dennis J. Paustenbach testified on behalf of Johnson & Johnson. Specifically, Paustenbach told jurors, “I believe that the cobalt and chromium from the ASR implant did not cause or worsen [the plaintiff’s] systemic health problems.” Paustenbach further testified that the plaintiff’s chromium levels were “of insignificant health risk, basically of no health risk.”

Contrary to Paustenbach’s opinion, the plaintiff’s legal team has argued that the elevated levels of metal in the plaintiff’s body could lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke and even kidney cancer.

If you have had a hip replacement, which used the DePuy ASR or DePuy Pinnacle devices, you can contact Stark & Stark and speak to one of the Mass Tort attorneys, free of charge, who can help assess any claims that you might have against the DePuy manufacturers.