Hip Recall Lawyer Warns of Aggressive Tactics Being Used By Insurance Adjusters During Unfair DePuy ASR Hip Recall Contacts
Recent contacts from DePuy ASR Hip Replacement recipients have created cause for concern about how the company is treating those persons both emotionally and financially, as well as worries over whether all DePuy ASR Hip Replacement recipients will receive appropriate medical testing and treatment and ultimate compensation.
Saint Louis, MO (Vocus) October 12, 2010
Michael Shelton, partner at Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson, LLC and a hip replacement recall lawyer, has had a number of troubling conversations with persons having had a DePuy ASR Hip Replacement procedure over the past several weeks. The most common concern relates to symptoms, including extreme discomfort and pain, and additional testing required to determine the extent of problems associated with DePuy hips, and provide the much needed peace of mind. DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. announced the recall of approximately 93,000 ASR XL Acetabular Hip Replacement and ASR Hip Resurfacing Systems on August 26, 2010 due to a high rate of failure that requires a revision surgery in 1 out of 8 implant recipients.
The recall of a medical implant, such as the DePuy hip, is overwhelming compared to other product recalls, such as those with food or medicine. It is not as if one can simply remove the implant and return it to DePuy. Attorney Michael Shelton, a hip recall lawyer, relayed that this is a very delicate situation where patients are rightfully concerned regarding their long-term health. The Onder Law Firm has received reports of being contacted by aggressive claims adjusters, rather than medical professionals trained to discuss medical problems and symptoms. If the symptoms of a patient do not fall into very narrow guidelines, and exactly match very specific criteria given to the insurance claims adjusters, be DePuy or correlate exactly with x-rays specifications, the problems of DePuy ASR hip replacement recipients are often being dismissed. Clients are making complaints of unreturned phone calls and are left with many unanswered questions. Many of those caught up in the DePuy hip recall are expressing anger over the company’s treatment of them equal to the pain they have experienced from a faulty hip replacement.
Patients are expressing concern about the risk of metalosis, releasing cobalt and chromium into the senovial fluid. Many are concerned about the elevated cobalt and chromium in their blood, concerned that these are known cancer causing agents. Being left at the hands of an insurance claims adjuster, instead of a medical professional, DePuy has left many patient concerns unanswered. While DePuy has offered to pay co-pays and deductibles, claims adjusters have not been adequately addressing concerns that accepting these partial payments could leave patients responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills should Medicare or federal ERISA insurance plans seek reimbursement. “DePuy ASR hip replacement patients have questions, and deserve real answers,” says DePuy recall lawyer Mike Shelton, partner at Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson, LLC. The patients are entitled to far more than co-pays and deductibles. They are entitled to real compensation, including not only medical bills, but lost wages, compensation for pain and suffering, and for the accelerated need for future hip replacements. When confronted with these issues, patients relate that their concerns have gone mostly unanswered by DePuy’s insurance claims adjusters.
About The Law Firm
Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson, LLC is a St. Louis based personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson have represented clients throughout the United States, and other firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation. It is a recognized leader in products liability cases such as window blind cord strangulation and pharmaceutical litigation. The firm is offering free DePuy hip legal consultation to those affected by the recall.
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