Dangerous Drugs and Defective Medical Devices
Get compensation for your defective drug injury
Consumers have a right to expect that any product they use is safe and effective, and that goes double for drugs and devices used to treat medical conditions. Pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment manufacturers have a responsibility to test their products thoroughly and disclose all potential risks of injury to both patients and medical professionals.
Unfortunately, those big companies don't always follow through on that obligation. When that happens, people get hurt. A few of the most common dangerous medical products include:
Some defective drugs and medical devices just don’t work. They may not cause any direct harm, but they leave users with untreated medical conditions, which can lead to serious future complications. Other products are simply dangerous – a medication may have serious side effects or a medical device may break apart and cause organ damage. In either case, these dangerous products can cause serious injury and death.
New medicines and medical devices are hitting the market every day. That's why it's impossible to create an exhaustive list. If you've been hurt by any medical product, you need an experienced, passionate personal injury attorney on your side. You need Dean Waite.
You have rights as an injured patient. Don't hesitate. Call Dean Waite
Liability claims involving dangerous drugs and defective medical devices fall under the legal category of product liability. In order to recover financial compensation, we'll help you prove that the company responsible for the medical product was negligent according to one or more of the following criteria:
- Design defects or shoddy manufacturing
- Inadequate testing before seeking FDA approval
- Failure to warn of dangers associated with the medication
- Making false claims or misrepresenting information
- Failure to monitor or follow up on claims of injury or adverse side effects
Taking on a major pharmaceutical company or drug distributor is no small task. Such multi-national companies often have teams of well-paid attorneys who know how to fight such claims. At Dean Waite & Associates, LLC, we're not afraid to stand up to big corporations. We have the resources, experience and knowledge of the legal system needed to build your case and get results.
Philips CPAP and BiPAP Devices
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines are medical devices used to treat people with certain breathing disorders during sleep. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, also known as emphysema) may be prescribed these devices, which deliver a constant stream of pressurized, purified air into the nose and mouth to keep the airways open.
In 2021, medical device manufacturer Philips Healthcare recalled several of its CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and ventilators because of a serious safety risk. The polyester-based polyurethane foam (PE-PUR) used to reduce the sound and vibrations of the machine can break down and enter the air pathway, causing dangerous chemicals to be inhaled or swallowed by the user. Some serious complications linked to this device include:
- Cancer of the lungs, kidneys, colon, or liver
- Heart attack, heart failure, or stroke
- Lung injuries such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, or respiratory infection
- Severe liver or kidney disease
We are actively reviewing cases for OSA and COPD patients who used a recalled Philips machine for at least six months. The recalled systems include (starting in 2009):
Continuous Ventilator, Non-life Supporting
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- SystemOne ASV4
- C Series ASV, S/T, AVAPS
- OmniLab Advanced Plus In-Lab Titration Device
Non-continuous Ventilator
- SystemOne Q series
- DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
- DreamStation Go CPAP, APAP
- Dorma 400, 500 CPAP
- REMStar SE Auto CPAP
If you may be at risk, talk to your doctor right away – don’t discontinue use of the device without getting medical advice first – and schedule your free consultation with Dean Waite & Associates. We can review your situation and advise you of your legal rights and options.
Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is a drug manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals to treat interstitial cystitis (IC), a urinary tract condition sometimes called “painful bladder syndrome” that causes abdominal and pelvic pain. Because IC is the only FDA-approved drug to treat IC, it has been prescribed to millions of patients in the United States and beyond since it was first approved in 1996.
Unfortunately, long-term use of Elmiron has been linked to a degenerative eye disorder called pigmentary maculopathy, which causes partial or total vision loss. Research has shown that up to 25% of patients who used Elmiron long-term may have developed eye damage. While Janssen was alerted to this risk, they did not warn doctors or patients for many years.
If you took Elmiron for more than six months and then developed eye problems or vision loss, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. Because eye doctors weren’t aware of the danger for many years, it is possible that your vision loss was originally misdiagnosed as a different vision disorder, so it’s important to have an attorney go back and review your medical records to determine whether you have an Elmiron vision loss lawsuit. Give us a call right away so that we can review the details of your potential case and explain your legal rights and options.
If you've been hurt by a medication or medical device, don't hesitate. Contact Dean Waite. Call (866) 343-5840 to schedule your free case evaluation.