Understanding The Dangers of Defective Medical Devices

 Posted on November 29, 2021 in Product Liability

Patients who undergo medical procedures put a significant amount of trust in their surgeon and medical facility. When unexpected, severe, and even fatal injuries occur during these procedures, patients and their families suffer devastating consequences. In some cases, these injuries are caused by defective devices utilized during the medical procedure. 

To better understand how to pursue a claim to hold the at-fault parties accountable and recover damages, contact an attorney proficient in handling defective medical device injury cases. 

Defective Medical Devices and Common Injuries

Though not all defective medical devices cause injury, those that do can have catastrophic consequences. Defects can be present across various surgical instruments that are often used in critical procedures, including implants, pacemakers, and prosthetic devices. There are certain medical devices that feature defects more frequently than others, some of which include:

• Defibrillators

• Insulin pumps

• Hearing aids

• Heart stents

• Transvaginal mesh

• Contraceptive devices, such as an IUD

• Hip replacements

Devices that include inherent defects can result in erroneous treatment. These types of dangers can cause severe injury for the patient. Unfortunately, it is also possible for a patient to lose their life due to a defective medical device. Other injuries that may arise when healthcare providers use defective medical devices include:

• Permanent disability

• Chronic pain

• Stroke

• Allergic reaction

• Heart attack

• Infection

• Tissue or bone damage

Defective Medical Device Injury Claim

When defective devices, including implants, pacemakers, prosthetics, and other surgical instruments, are used during procedures, and the patient suffers injury as a direct result of the defect, the patient or their family may be able to pursue an injury or wrongful death claim. 

One of the biggest obstacles a patient or their family may face when pursuing this claim will be to determine which party needs to be held accountable for the injury or death. The different parties that may be at fault under these circumstances may include the device’s designer or manufacturer. Additionally, the medical sales representative, the testing facility, the pharmacy, the doctor, or the medical facility may also be at fault.

Working with an experienced product liability attorney can help make this process easier. A personal injury lawyer can also assist in collecting evidence and helping injured victims and their families understand what laws may be in place to protect the defendant. A skillful lawyer may be able to help a patient or their family recover damages related to pain and suffering, lost income, and medical expenses.

Contact Our Winnebago County Product Liability Lawyer

If you have suffered an injury or you have lost a loved one due to a defective medical device, the Rockford product liability lawyers with Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law can help you to understand your legal options. To learn more about how we may be able to help, call 815-215-7561 today for a free consultation. 

Sources:

https://www.statnews.com/2018/11/25/medical-devices-pain-other-conditions-more-than-80000-deaths-since-2008/