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Fresh Class Action Lawsuit Launched in Australia Against DePuy

A new class action lawsuit has been filed in Australia against DePuy Orthopaedics Inc – manufacturers of the faulty ASR and ASR XL Hip Replacement Systems – to add to the many already underway in the United States.

5558 people in Australia were fitted with faulty implants between 2003 and the systems’ recall in 2009, and now a legal team in Victoria has filed a group claim to compensate victims who will have to undergo painful revision surgery and risk lifelong health problems.

The lead applicant, Tammy Stanford (40) from Hobart, Tasmania, had her left hip replaced with a DePuy Hip Replacement System in 2005. Throughout 2009 her health deteriorated, and she sought medical advice.

In January 2010, a surgeon found that her hip joint was inflamed and the bone surrounding the implant had degenerated. Tammy’s condition will mean that she requires specialist hip reconstruction before her faulty implant is removed and replaced with a safe device.

Australian surgeons first started noticing problems with the DePuy Hip Replacement Systems in 2007, however they were not withdrawn until December 2009. The case is due to be presented to the Federal Court in Sydney.