Have you been injured by a defective medical device?
Most medical devices are intended to save lives, alleviate pain or provide relief and comfort. However, many patients are implanted with defective medical devices, resulting in discomfort, permanent damage, and sometimes wrongful death. Moreover, these devices can cause your current condition to worsen, which results in further complications. In some of those cases, patients will have to undergo another surgery to remove the device and repair any injuries. In many of these cases, injury and pain could have been avoided if the manufacturer had made a simple change in the device or simply warned of known risks.
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury or complications from a defective medical device our Jacksonville injury attorneys may be able to help.
How Defective Medical Device Claims are Handled
The attorneys at Riddle & Brantley have helped Jacksonville and surrounding area residents obtain just compensation for damages sustained due to defective products for over 30 years. If you have suffered a serious injury or complication from a defective medical device, our lawyers are prepared to help you fight for compensation.
During your free consultation, one of our attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your claim by reviewing your medical records, investigating defective products and advising you on any relevant mass tort or class action lawsuits. These steps will help you as a client obtain just compensation for your injuries.
Common Examples of Defective Medical Devices
Before being sold on the market, all medical devices must be approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Additionally, it is up to the company that manufactures the devices to ensure that they are safe for consumers.
Unfortunately, the FDA has reported multiple faulty devices in 2018 including some of the most recent listed below:
- Metal on Metal (MoM) hip Implants
- Depuy ASR Hip Implants
- Zimmer Persona Knee Implants
- 3M Bair Hugger
- Transvaginal Mesh Products
- IVC Filters
- Hernia Mesh
- da Vinci Surgical Robots
If you have been injured after using one of these medical devices, our firm may be able to help. Contact our experienced product liability attorneys in Jacksonville today for your free consultation.
Liability for Defective Medical Devices
Although the FDA does approve medical devices before they hit the market, it is important to know that they do not conduct safety tests. Instead, it is the manufacturer’s job to perform all safety testing and report results and issues to the FDA.
Some manufacturers of medical devices and medications can apply for a special FDA program called the 501(k). This program expedites approvals for various medicines and medical devices and allows patients in desperate need to use them before they have been tested. This is a valuable program for patients in immediate medical need but unfortunately, some companies take advantage of this program and permit inadequate products to enter the market.
It is the duty of manufacturers to ensure a product is safe and to warn doctors and patients of any potential side effects or risks. If the manufacturer fails to do so, whether they participate in a program like 501(k) or not, and the product causes harm, they can be held liable for their negligence.
In some cases, a third party may be held liable for a defective product. This is where the law often becomes a little cloudy and seeking compensation can be more difficult. Having an experienced lawyer on your side to navigate these laws can be the key to a successful recovery.
Contact a Jacksonville Defective Medical Device Attorneys Today
Injuries from medical devices often leave victims with severe or permanent damages. In worse cases, they can even cause death. Attempting to file a claim on your own can be stressful and will often leave you with little or no compensation. Our Jacksonville product liability attorneys understand the laws that apply to dangerous products and have the resources to go up against negligent manufactures.
If you or a loved one sustained an injury from a defective medical device, don’t battle it alone. Let our experienced team help you. The initial consultation is always free, and you won’t pay any attorney fees unless we win your case. Contact our Jacksonville office at (910) 455-5599 or submit your free case evaluation form online today.