Any experience with Apple fixing Iphone just after warranty has expired

My iPhone has just past a year old, actually it's now 54 Weeks since I purchased it. The Touch Screen has just stopped working, it was fine, I went to unlock it and it didn't respond. I've now reset, restored etc and the touch part of the screen is just dead.

Has anyone had any experience getting Apple to fix a phone after the warrenty has expired? The touch screen seems to be a common problem with the phone, and it renders it completly useless and if just happens to fail just after the warranty has expired the only option is to pay for a brand new phone, or use the $199 service option.