The Dangers of Defective Medical Devices: How to Protect Yourself

Defective medical devices can present serious—and even life-threatening—risks for patients. Yet, sadly, many patients don’t realize that their medical devices are defective until it is too late. Sometimes, manufacturers and healthcare providers aren’t aware that defects exist. Other times, however, manufacturers ignore known risks, and healthcare providers recommend medical devices that they shouldn’t.

So, as a patient, how can you protect yourself?

For patients who need medical device implants (or who have medical device implants already), there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of facing serious complications. Here are some tips from the defective medical device lawyers at Searcy Denney:

Ask Your Doctor About the Risks Involved

One of the first steps you can take to protect yourself is to ask your doctor about the risks involved. You can do this whether you are considering a medical device implant or you have questions about an implant that you have already received. Even if your doctor isn’t currently aware of any significant risks related to the device, asking the question may prompt your doctor to do some research.

As part of their duty to their patients, doctors must only recommend medical devices that they believe are reasonably safe for their intended use. Since doctors can’t investigate every new device on their own, they rely on manufacturers’ representations about their products—and they often rely on warnings and notices from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well. But, there may also be case studies, peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, and other sources of information available that doctors can (and should) use to ensure that they are providing informed treatment recommendations to their patients.

Do Your Own Research

While you can ask your doctor for his or her opinion, you can also do your own research. If you uncover information about a potential health risk related to a medical device that you are considering or that you already have in your body, you should not hesitate to discuss this information with your doctor. Although patients need to be careful about solely relying on medical information they find online, it will be well worth doing their own research in some cases.

Where can you find information about a possible defective medical device? The FDA’s website is a good place to start. The FDA’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts is a searchable database of medical devices that have been identified as concerning (or potentially concerning) for various reasons.

You can also look for news articles, and you can check the manufacturer’s website for information about potential risks or recalls. Again, however, you should be cautious about relying on these sources of information exclusively, and, ultimately, talking to your doctor is one of the best things you can do to help ensure that you are making an informed decision.

Monitor for Updates

Once you have received a medical device implant, it will be worth monitoring for updates from time to time. The FDA’s website is a good resource for this as well. You should also pay attention to any communications you receive from your doctor. If anecdotal reports or new studies reveal concerns about a medical device you have received, you will want to find out what this means for your health as soon as possible.

Monitor for Signs of Possible Complications

Along with monitoring for updates about your medical device, you should also monitor for signs of possible complications. While this can be easier said than done, and while warning signs can vary widely, you will want to pay particular attention to signs of potential issues such as:

• Pain or swelling at or near the location of your medical device implant
• Unexplained drop in heart rate or blood pressure
• Unexplained bowel or bladder issues
• Limited mobility (particularly with joint replacement implants)
• Any other unusual feelings, sounds, or bodily functions that may be related to your implant

These are just examples, and they won’t necessarily be relevant for all types of implanted medical devices. If your doctor informs you about (or if you read about) a particular issue, you should monitor for specific warning signs related to this issue as well.

Seek Medical Attention if You Have Any Concerns

Any time you have medical concerns for any reason, you should not hesitate to seek medical attention. The unfortunate reality is that issues with defective medical devices can lead to medical emergencies in many cases. If you need emergency medical attention, seeing a doctor as soon as possible could be critical for mitigating your risk of long-term, permanent or fatal complications.

Talk to a Defective Medical Device Lawyer About Recovering Your Costs

If you are diagnosed with complications from a defective medical device, you will want to talk to a lawyer about recovering your costs. These costs can add up very quickly, and you may have grounds to hold your medical device’s manufacturer or your healthcare provider (or both) accountable.

Defective medical device and medical malpractice lawsuits involving defective implants are both extremely common. Despite the risks involved, medical device manufacturers and healthcare providers often aren’t as careful as they should be. When they sell defective devices or make mistakes that lead to serious or fatal complications, they can (and should) be held fully accountable. Talking to a defective medical device lawyer is the first step in the process, and it costs you nothing to ensure that you are making informed decisions about asserting your legal rights.

Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with a Defective Medical Device Lawyer

Do you need to know more about seeking financial compensation for complications from a defective medical device? If so, we can help. We have extensive experience representing patients and families in these cases, and we have recovered billions of dollars in financial compensation for our clients. To discuss your legal rights with an experienced defective medical device lawyer at Searcy Denney in confidence as soon as possible, call us at 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can reach you online today.