Dangerous and Defective Medical Devices
Product liability claims can take many different forms. One specific category of devices that has gained increasing attention in both the news and the legal world is defective medical devices.
These defects can shock many patients — especially those who find themselves suffering toxic metal poisoning, tissue and bone damage, and worse from devices that were supposed to improve their quality of life. If you or someone you know has been injured by a dangerous and defective medical device, contact the attorneys at Charnoff Simpson PLLC for more information.
Below are some noteworthy examples of prominent defective medical devices that have been the target of lawsuits:
- Hip, Knee, and Shoulder Replacements: Medical device manufacturers have developed certain products that can cause harm to patients. In some cases, the metal-on-metal friction of a joint replacement has been known to release metal into surrounding tissue or the bloodstream, causing metallosis. In other cases, product defects have caused metal toxicity, bone damage, cysts, and even necrosis (premature cell death).
- Birth Control Devices: Essure, Mirena, NuvaRing, and other birth control devices have been the subject of scrutiny and lawsuits. From increased risk of blood clots to extreme pain and organ perforation, these devices have caused significant harm to users.
- Transvaginal Mesh: Used to treat conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse and stress-related urinary incontinence, synthetic mesh is used to support organ structures in the body. However, thousands of patients have reported complications, and the FDA has ordered manufacturers to perform safety reviews of their products.
- Stents: Drug-coated stents and others have been the target of lawsuits because they can cause an increased risk of heart attacks, blood clots, and more.
- Defibrillators: Implanted defibrillators have been known to fail and deliver improper or even fatal shocks to the heart.