DePuy ASR hip implants class action

About this class action

On 28 February 2011, Maurice Blackburn commenced the DePuy ASR hip implants class action in the Federal Court of Australia.

The DePuy hip implants class action was being conducted on behalf of all patients who had one or more DePuy ASR components surgically implanted by a doctor in Australia.

The DePuy ASR hip implants are a series of metal components used as artificial hip prostheses in the DePuy ASR Articular Surface Replacement System, the DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing System or the DePuy ASR XL Acetabular System. These DePuy ASR hip implant systems were designed and manufactured to be used in total hip replacement or hip resurfacing surgery.

It was alleged that the DePuy ASR hip implants were defective, not fit for their purpose and were not of merchantable quality in contravention of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth), and that DePuy and Johnson & Johnson were negligent.

The class action was against the UK based company, DePuy International Ltd, which manufactured the DePuy ASR hip implants, and against Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Limited, which distributed and sold the DePuy ASR hip implants within Australia.

Settlement 

On 29 June 2016, the Federal Court approved the settlement of the DePuy ASR Hip Implant Class Action for $250 million plus interest and including legal costs, without admission of liability by DePuy or Johnson & Johnson.

At the time of settlement approval, Maurice Blackburn together with Shine Lawyers were appointed joint Administrators of the Settlement Scheme. The Settlement Scheme governs all aspects of the administration from registration of claims to payment of compensation to eligible group members.

Information relevant to the administration can be found at: depuyclassaction.com.au