Can a Defective Medical Device Cause Harm?

Posted on October 17, 2023 in Medical Malpractice

Data indicates that approximately 10% of all Americans will have a medical device implanted in their body during their lifetimes. However, many of these devices could cause harm to the patient.

When medical devices are defective or fail, patients can sustain serious injuries, illnesses, or even death. Here, we want to examine some of the most common defective medical devices as well as whether or not individuals can recover compensation from the companies or manufacturers. In most cases, you will want to seek assistance from a Portland medical malpractice lawyer as soon as you are aware of an injury caused by a dangerously defective device.

How Medical Devices Can Cause Harm

There are various types of medical devices that could become defective and cause harm to a patient. Any type of device that goes on the inside of a person’s body, as well as devices used on the outside of the body, can cause major complications if there is a defect.

Medical devices, which include implants, electrical equipment, surgical tools, prosthetics, and other devices, can all have defects, and some of the possible signs that a medical device is defective include:

• The device does not work as intended
• The display is difficult to read
• The device breaks easily
• There are loose parts or wiring
• The device has strange sounds or smells
• The device does not last as long as it is supposed to
• The charge does not hold in the device
• The device causes pain or reduced mobility

If a defective medical device fails to work as intended, a patient could experience significant internal or external trauma, major illness, or even death. Some of the most common defective medical devices include:

• Various types of hip replacements
• Transvaginal meshes
• Hernia meshes
• IVC blood clot filters
• Drug coated stents
• Internal or external defibrillators
• Insulin pumps
• Various types of prosthetics

This is certainly not a complete list of common types of defective medical devices. Any medical device that fails to work as intended should be considered defective, and patients must act quickly to protect themselves.

What to do With a Defective Medical Device

If you believe you have been harmed due to a defective medical device, there are various steps you can take to help improve your well-being as well as preserve the integrity of any product liability claim against a manufacturer or medical practitioner.

You should contact a medical professional as soon as possible for advice about what to do with the defective medical device. Often, these are emergency situations that must be handled promptly and with skilled medical care.

If the medical device has any type of electronic memory or storage, do not erase the data. Follow the instructions of a medical provider about what to do with the device if you are able to turn it off or if you should do anything at all until a medical provider can examine the device.

Any medical records related to procedures to remedy the defective device situation should be kept in a safe location. This includes any doctor or hospital visit, surgical procedures, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and more.

Contact an Attorney Today

If you or somebody you care about has been harmed due to a defective medical device, please reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled Portland defective product lawyer can examine the facts of your case and help determine the best steps for recovering compensation.