Patients who had to undergo further operations to correct defects in hip replacements manufactured by DePuy International Ltd, have today launched a group action for damages for personal injury. They have instructed specialist personal injury solicitors Leigh Day & Co.   

The patients have formed the DePuy Hylamer Action Group after the name of the material used for hip and shoulder replacement components. The Medical Devices Agency issued a Hazard Notice in September 2001 recalling the product. The Depuy Hylamer Action Group is assisted by the Plymouth Hospitals Trust following corrective hip operations carried out on a number of patients at the Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.   

Compensation under the Consumer Protection Act

Over 2000 hip and shoulder replacements using Hylamer components have been inserted in Hospitals throughout England, including, hospitals in Leicester, Milton Keynes, Chester and Bristol.   Bozena Michalowska solicitor at Leigh Day & Co said today that;   “Its clear that hip and shoulder replacements made with Hylamer components do not meet acceptable safety standards. Those patients who have had to suffer revision operations, where their original hip replacements have failed, have a very strong claim for compensation under the Consumer Protection Act 1987”   

Raymond Prosser, Spokesman of the DePuy Hylamer Action Group commented that:   “ It is totally unacceptable that DePuy continued to supply Hylamer hip and shoulder components to hospitals knowing that they were defective. A lot of the pain and suffering that patients have suffered as a result of the defective components could have been avoided. By our action we want both compensation from the company for patients who have suffered and an assurance that this sort of thing won’t happen again.” 

 Journalists or patients wishing to join the group or requiring further information should contact Raymond Prosser at the DePuy Hylamer Action Group on 01752 700870 or Rosemary Woodcock on 01503 265 482 or Bozena Michalowska-Howells at Leigh Day & Co on 0207 650 1238 or on bmichalowska@leighday.co.uk