Continued from Part 1. Many medical devices routinely implanted in patients are approved through the FDA’s expedited approval process without any proper testing. And many of them later fail, cause serious health consequences, or even lead to sudden death, sometimes during the very surgery in which they’re being implanted. A few more of the medical devices that have become the subjects of myriad lawsuits for these reasons include:
Metal hip replacement implants and hip repair component devices: Our Houston medical device defect lawyers report that the metal-on-metal hip replacements used in tens of thousands of patients have been shown to fail and to cause serious injuries at an abnormally high rate. As many as 12% of patients need corrective surgeries after receiving the implants. Other problems include corrosion, tissue damage, further bone loss, metal poisoning (metallosis), pain, swelling, and immobility. Some of the flawed hip implants include the DePuy ASR, DePuy Pinnacle, Stryker, Wright Conserve, Biomet M2A Magnum, Zimmer Durom Cup, and Smith and Nephew.
Knee implants: Some of these devices have also been linked to high failure rates and other serious problems. A component of the DePuy Knee Limb Preservation System has been tied to risks of fracture, limb loss, and infection. The Oxinium implant has been recalled due to defects. And theZimmer NexGen CR-Flex has been shown to have a high failure rate.
Medtronic Infuse Bone Graft: Medtronic has been implicated in widespread off-label marketing of the device. The company paid millions to doctors to publish favorable papers regarding the product. But when used in cervical spine surgery and for other unapproved uses, the Infuse bone graft could cause a wide range of serious side effects that include: male infertility, infection, swelling of neck and throat tissue and difficulty swallowing, respiratory difficulties, cyst formation, and death.
Other Bone-Related Devices: The LDR ROI-C Cervical Cage has resulted in spinal nerve injury in patients subjected to spinal fusion surgery using the device. The Stryker Spine OASYS Midline Occiput Plate has been linked to serious side effects including nerve damage, blood loss, and the need for additional corrective surgeries. Ti Synex II Vertebral Body Replacements were recalled after patients suffered spinal compression fractures, increased pain, and neural injuries. Artelon CMC Spacers have been tied to a need for further corrective surgeries, bone loss, misshapen digits, burning or shooting pains, and inflammation, among other complications.
Defibrillator leads: The St. Jude Durata leads, which our Houston medical device defect lawyers have written about previously, have been found to have design and manufacturing flaws that can lead to early corrosion and failure. The Medtronic Sprint Fidelis leads were recalled for wire breakage that could cause harmful shocks to the patients in whom they were implanted.
Duragesic Fentanyl pain patches: These patches might leak and administer the wrong amount of painkiller, potentially causing serious injury or death in the patient.
Gadolinium MRI and MRA injections: The gadolinium contrast agents could cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in kidney patients, resulting in serious injury or even death.
Composix Kugel hernia mesh patch: A defect in the memory recoil ring has caused sepsis, bowel blockage, and other serious complications in patients.
The bottom line is that medical devices are not always as safe as you might think they are. Our Houston medical device defect lawyers at Denena Points, PC caution that aggressive marketing, off-label marketing, and the chronic underreporting of injuries, fatalities, and other problems linked to the devices mean that neither you nor your doctor might be well informed regarding the risks of a device before you choose to use it.
Contact Us when You need Counsel, Information, and a Free Legal Consultation after a Serious Medical Device Injury
When a defective medical device causes you or your loved ones serious injury or loss, contact us for a FREE and confidential initial legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case and evaluate your potential eligibility for financial compensation for the harm you’ve suffered. You have no obligation to hire an attorney.
If you or your loved one received a defective medical device or your device was used in an off-label, unapproved manner, you might be eligible for a full financial recovery for your injuries. Our Houston medical device defect lawyers’ more than 12 years of successful experience holding manufacturers financially accountable in complex personal injury and wrongful death cases could help you and your family make informed choices regarding your legal options after a medical device defect has changed your life.
We have solid experience conducting case investigations and Discovery, and working with qualified medical and technical experts to build strong and successful cases on behalf of our clients. Our experienced Houston medical device defect lawyers could help you locate the right qualified expert witnesses to testify regarding medical marketing, research, and reporting practices, as well as technical matters regarding (mal)functioning of the medical device itself. Reach us at 713-807-9500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free legal consultation.