US Drug Watchdog, a group that identifies itself as the premier consumer advocate for victims of recalled drugs or defective medical devices in the United States to come forward and contact attorneys. To date, only 3500 of the potentially 40,000 claimants have filed claims.
This is extremely important for a number of reasons. First, there is quite a bit of misinformation being distributed. Secondly, it is important to identify individuals who received implants in 2010
AFTER they were pulled from the market in other countries.
The following are things that I hear every day.
MY DOCTOR TELLS ME MY BLOOD LEVELS ARE NORMAL:
This is perhaps the most common response I get from people who contact me at this time and it is often wrong. Just this week, I was contacted by two individuals who said that they were concerned because their hip pain was continuing to get worse. Both had Depuy ASR hips. One had a cobalt level of 5.2, up from 3.2 and the other with a cobalt level of 6.1, up from 3.8. Despite what physicians are saying, these are dangerous levels. Further, it is clear evidence of implant failure. From my experience (I represent over 150 claimants), these levels are going to continue to climb, resulting in many more medical problems.
According to Dr. Stephen Tower, levels of cobalt above 1 are considered excessive, causing subclinical myocardial and memory impairment and at level 5 you are
toxic. Other reports indicate that a level of 2 or more indicates implant failure.
I HAVE NOT HAD MY DEPUY ASR HIP REPLACED YET:
Just because you have not been revised yet does not mean that you do not have damages or that you will not have damages in the future. It is important to have your claim filed and receive monitoring. So far, over 50% of my clients have had to have revision surgery. That number has increased dramatically since 2010 when the recall was announced. Most of us believe that it is not a matter of if, but when!
BROADSPIRE IS HANDLING MY CLAIM:
Broadspire is a third party administrator for Depuy. They are providing your information to Depuy and Depuy's attorneys. They represent Depuy's interests, not yours.
If you have a Depuy ASR hip implant, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Don't let your time to file a claim run out. You should contact an attorney immediately and continue to have your blood levels checked at regular intervals.
I will be happy to provide any medical literature or other information I have at my disposal. Feel free to contact me at Chrish@PittmanDutton.com or call me at toll free at 866-515-8880
