Medical Device Failures

Medical device failures occur more often than most people realize, and they can have catastrophic effects on the health of the individuals who were supposed to be helped by them.

Lawsuits for medical device failures often fall under the category of product liability law. However, medical malpractice lawsuits often include medical device failure as part of the suit. For instance, if a device had a known or knowable defect and the medical provider used it anyway, both the provider and the manufacturer would be held at fault for your injuries.

If you believe you have been injured by a faulty medical device, don’t wait to seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. As a Florida personal injury attorney, I have expertise in all aspects of medical malpractice and product liability law, and I am committed to helping Florida residents throughout the state receive just and fair compensation to help them cope with the injuries they have sustained through someone else’s negligence.

Medical product manufacturers and designers have a duty to provide safe and effective devices. Patients who use their devices are usually in a delicate state of health, and the manufacturers must take into consideration how their devices affect every aspect of a person’s health. While most devices are well-constructed and properly used and have helped millions of people live better lives, some have been proven to be faulty and harmful.

The FDA provides a list of medical device recalls and early alerts, which the manufacturers should inform medical entities about, and the entities themselves should be monitoring. Failure to do so is negligence.

Examples of defective medical devices

Some devices that have recently been reported or have ongoing class-action lawsuits are listed here.

Allergan breast implants have been linked to breast cancer.
CooperSurgical IVF fluid was voluntarily recalled due to a lack of magnesium critical for embryonic development, which may have affected up to 20,000 children.
Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) may have provided faulty blood sugar readings, leading to serious hypoglycemic levels.
Some endoscopes and duoendoscopes have been linked to antibiotic-resistant infections because of the inability to fully sanitize due to their design.
Defective hernia mesh has been found to deteriorate, twist, or otherwise become obstructive or harmful, leading to lawsuits for serious harm.
Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters have caused serious complications such as deep vein thrombosis, filter migration, and perforation of the IVC.
Paragard IUD has been linked to serious complications, including severe pain and infertility.
Many Philips CPAP and BiPAP machines were recalled for reports of users inhaling or swallowing foam particles dislodged from the device during use.
Some Exactech knee, hip, and ankle implants were recalled for faulty packaging that allowed oxygen to infiltrate, causing the plastics to degrade faster than expected. This has caused serious harm to patients who have these implants.
Bard Powerport catheters have been found to crack or break, leading to injury or infection. Lawsuits claim that the manufacturer knew about the issue but did not warn users or recall the items.

As you can see from this short list of just some defective medical products, medical devices can cause harm through material defects, design defects, packaging, and a variety of other causes. If you believe you have been injured due to a faulty medical device, please do not hesitate to reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you.

Get help today

The statute of limitations is two years from when you discovered, or should have reasonably discovered, the connection between the faulty device and your injuries. So even if the device was used some time ago, it is still important to reach out to a lawyer. If you recently recognized a connection, you may still be able to sue for damages. Contact us at (954) 448-7288, 24/7 from anywhere in Florida, for a free consultation to see how we can help you.