An orthopedic surgeon who helped design the recalled DePuy ASR hip replacement testified for the defense in California state court this week. The surgeon, Dr. Thomas Schmalzried, was paid $3.6 million by DePuy’s parent company, Johnson & Johnson, for his work on the device. Dr. Schmalzried testified that the surgeons that install the devices are to blame for the complications and product failure that has injured thousands of victims across the country.
Dr. Schmalzried testified in the trial of Loren Kransky, a plaintiff who alleged product failure. Similarly allegations of product defects have been raised in thousands of lawsuits currently pending across the country. Despite providing testimony to defend the product design, Dr. Schmalzried admitted that he no longer uses the metal-on-metal hip prosthesis, instead opting for other newer alternatives.
If you have had a hip replacement, which used the DePuy ASR or DePuy Pinnacle devices, please 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.