A woman who had two hip replacement operations intends to bring what is expected to be the first of many cases over allegedly defective hip implants.

Irene Pierson is one of thousands of people who had DePuy Orthopaedics hip joints fitted in Irish hospitals before DePuy ordered a worldwide recall of the product in 2010. Yesterday the High Court was told Ms Pierson intended to bring an action against DePuy Inc and related companies, which allegedly supplied and manufactured the hip replacement product; Johnson Johnson Inc, which owns DePuy Inc; and the Health Services Executive.

Ms Pierson alleges she entered into a contract with the HSE in March 2007 to have a right hip implant manufactured by DePuy fitted and also entered into a contract in September 2008 to have a left hip implant fitted. It is alleged the DePuy products were not of merchantable quality and have both begun to malfunction. She claims the defendants have acted in breach of contract and is seeking damages.

It is claimed she has a good cause of action on grounds including that, in October 2010, she was informed by letter she had been fitted with a recalled DePuy hip in Navan General Hospital, Co Meath.

Ms Pierson’s solicitor, Edward McGarr, yesterday secured an order allowing him serve the proceedings on intended defendants who are outside the jurisdiction.