Defective Medical Devices
While many medical devices provide important benefits to patients, some devices malfunction or fail, resulting in disastrous consequences. Medical device manufacturers should be held accountable when defective products fail, and Lewis Saul & Associates diligently pursues claims on behalf of our clients against the companies responsible for their injuries.
Lewis Saul & Associates has been fighting the manufacturers of defective medical devices for more than 40 years. Our attorneys have experience handling medical device injury cases across the country. We have the experience, knowledge and resources to handle the most complex and difficult cases.
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​​​HERE ARE SOME OF THE DEFECTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES WE ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING:
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Paragard IUD
A popular intrauterine contraceptive used as long-term birth control, Paragard IUD is a T-shaped device inserted into the uterus of the patient. The device also releases a drug into the body of the patient over ten years and was designed to be removable at any time. However, more recently, it has been discovered that the Paragard IUD has a design defect that causes the device to fracture inside the patient’s body during removal.
In many cases, the T-shaped arms of the device, meant to be flexible to enable the device to be removed through the patient’s cervix, appear to become brittle after years inside the body. As a result, the arms of the device do not flex as they are supposed to and one or both of the Paragard IUD can fracture and break into fragments inside the patient’s body.
The fragmented arms of the device that break inside the patient’s body can cause serious internal injuries, as they usually end up embedded in the uterine wall, leading to extreme and chronic pain. The device fragments can eventually puncture the walls of the uterus and damage other organs.
Some of the health problems that can be caused by fractured Paragard IUD devices include: chronic abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, pelvic inflammatory disease, infection, and infertility.
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Hernia mesh
A surgical mesh product that reinforces and supports the tissue around a hernia as it heals, hernia mesh products manufactured by several companies have led to the filing of over 25,000 lawsuits due to serious medical complications.
Lewis Saul & Associates is currently focusing on hernia mesh claims against the manufacturer Covidien for its Parietex mesh products, including the Covidien Parietex Surgical Mesh, Covidien Parietex Composite Mesh, and Covidien Parietex ProGrip Mesh.
Patients who had these hernia mesh products used during their surgical procedures have suffered complications that required a revision surgery to correct the issues. Complications suffered by patients include: pain, infection, adhesion, bowel obstruction, seroma, perforation, mesh failure, device migration, and fistula.
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Bard PowerPort
An entirely implantable vascular access device that provides repeated access to the vascular system to deliver medication, intravenous fluids, parenteral nutrition solutions, and blood products, Bard PowerPort devices are alleged to be prone to fracturing, migrating, and other forms of malfunction after being implanted in the patient.
Part of the PowerPort device is a catheter comprised of two main ingredients, polyurethane and barium sulfate. The strength and durability of the catheter depends on the amount of barium sulfate used in the device and how evenly the barium sulfate is spread throughout the plastic. Lawsuits allege the device used too much barium sulfate in the catheter, which resulted in an uneven spread of the barium sulfate within the plastic, which could contribute to the catheter degrading over time.
The defects in the Bard PowerPort device make them prone to three primary complications: fracture, migration and infection. Fracture is the most common problem experienced by patients due to the material being excessively brittle. Fractures of the device can lead to severe injuries and vascular damage. The device can also migrate after implantation, usually involving the flexible tube parts of the device that are inserted into the blood vessel. The flawed nature of the material used to make the device does not stop bacteria, especially when the material fractures or becomes degraded. This can lead to serious infections originating at the port site.
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CONTACT LEWIS SAUL & ASSOCIATES, P.C TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS
If you or a loved one has been injured by any of these medications, you may be entitled to pursue a claim against the manufacturers for damages. For a free and confidential case evaluation, please call our office or complete our online contact form and we will promptly respond to your inquiry.
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