Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, DePuy Orthopaedics, have been ordered federal jury in Dallas, Texas to pay at least $1 billion to a group of plaintiffs over artificial hip replacements.  Patients claim that the company's hip solution, Pinnacle, had to be surgically removed because they hid flaws. 

Did J&J's Artificial Hip, Pinnacle, Cause Metal Poisoning?

Six plaintiffs claimed they suffered "serious medical complications caused by defective" Pinnacle implants.  The jurors found that the companies failed to warn patients and doctors about the risks of using the product.  The patients alleged that Pinnacle hips leached cobalt and chromium into their bloodstream.

Lead attorney Mark Lanier of the Lanier Law Firm in Houston said: "Once again, a jury has listened to the testimony of both sides, and returned a verdict affirming what we've known all along: a responsible company would settle these cases and take care of their injured consumers, rather than forcing them through expensive and vexatious litigation just to delay justice.  This jury spoke loud and clear, and I hope J&J will finally listen."

Johnson & Johnson And DePuy Will Appeal

Johnson & Johnson stopped selling Pinnacle in 2013 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration toughened artificial-hip regulations.  In October 2014, J&J won their first trial against Pinnacle after a jury rejected claims by a Montana woman that the product gave her metal poisoning.  

Mindy Tinsley, spokeswoman for DePuy said: "We have no greater responsibility than to the patients who use our products, and our goal is to create medical innovations that help people live more active and comfortable lives.  DePuy acted appropriately and responsibly in the design and testing of ULTAMET Metal-on-Metal, and the product is backed by a strong track record of clinical data showing reduced pain and restored mobility for patients suffering from chronic hip pain."