The Delhi High Court Thursday directed Johnson and Johnson to make interim payment of Rs 25 lakh each to 67 patients who have undergone revision surgeries for alleged faulty hip implants made by the company.
The court's direction came after the company said it has verified that these patients have undergone revision surgery and it was voluntarily paying them Rs 25 lakh as compensation.
Justice Vibhu Bakhru asked the company to disburse the cheques to the claimants within two weeks and listed the matter for further hearing in August 8.
The company, through senior advocate Amit Sibal, clarified that the payment should not be considered as an admission of liability or a precedent.
The court made clear that it has not examined the controversy involved and this payment will not prejudice the rights of patients from seeking any further sum of compensation from the company.
It also said that in case any other judicial forum awards a compensation higher than Rs 25 lakh to the patients, the company would pay the balance amount only.
The court further said that in case the affected patients do not succeed in their claims before any other forum, the company would not be entitled for any refund of its voluntary payment of Rs 25 lakh.
In a statement, a company spokesperson said, "We are very pleased to make compensation payments as Johnson & Johnson Private Limited volunteered to do.
The spokesperson, however, said, "We continue to believe the formula for compensation needs to be within a fully transparent and legal framework arrived at through due process."
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