About one in 10 Americans have at least one medical device implanted in their body. These include devices such as artificial joints, pacemakers, surgical mesh, lap bands, stents, and birth control devices. Many patients rely on medical devices to get on with their daily lives, but when a device fails, the consequences can be severe.
To be sold to consumers, medical devices must first be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But regulations governing medical devices are lax, so it is up to the manufacturers to ensure that devices are safe. Doctors and patients rely on manufacturers to produce safe and effective medical devices, and if these manufacturers fail to do so, they may be liable in a product liability claim.
Common Defective Medical Devices
Consumers who have been injured by defective medical devices can bring a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. The following are some medical devices that are currently involved in litigation:
- Hernia Mesh—Atrium’s C-QUR mesh and Ethicon’s Physiomesh, in particular, have been shown to lead to infection, bowel obstructions, perforation of organs, and pain.
- Transvaginal Mesh—particularly those manufactured by Johnson & Johnson have led to thousands of women experiencing pain, incontinence, trouble urinating, allergic reactions, infection, and pelvic organ prolapse
- Essure and Mirena Intrauterine Devices—these birth control devices have serious side effects for some women including broken devices, device failure, and device migration leading to hysterectomies. Other side effects include hair loss, weight fluctuations, fatigue, and brain fog.
- Hip Replacement—Depuy and Stryker hip replacements, in particular, have been shown to have a high failure rate which led to loss of mobility, pain, broken bones, and the need for further surgeries in some patients. The Depuy metal-on-metal hip replacement was also shown to have caused metallosis which is the build-up of metal in the soft tissue in the body.
- IVC Filters—these intra vena cava filters have been shown to have serious complications when they broke into pieces or migrated in the patient’s body leading to perforated veins and punctured organs.
Checking for Device Recalls
If you use a medical device, the manufacturer or your doctor should advise you of any recalls. If you have any concerns, you can search the FDA’s Medical Device Recall Database. It is essential to keep in mind, however, that not all defective medical devices are recalled by the manufacturer. That’s why it’s important to consult with a product liability attorney if you’ve experienced any issues related to your medical device.
Contact an Experienced Product Liability Attorney
If you believe that you’ve been injured by a defective medical device, it is important to have your case evaluated by a product liability attorney. The attorneys at Bonina & Bonina, P.C., have over 50 years of experience helping New Yorkers injured by defective products. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-MED-LAW1 to schedule your free consultation. Home and hospital visits available. Se habla espaňol.