Many patients who have used Philips CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and ventilator machines have suffered physical injuries. Most of these physical injuries involve complications due to various forms of cancer. Liver cancer, lung cancer, and kidney cancer are the most common forms seen in patients who have used these devices.
Individuals who used these machines may have also experienced symptoms like headaches, difficulty breathing, coughing, and sinus infections. Patients may not develop or notice symptoms immediately, while other patients may have noticed the onset of their symptoms as soon as they began using a Philips CPAP machine, BiPAP machine, or ventilator machine.
Our attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers can help you recover financial compensation for the medical complications you suffered due to your use of Philips CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and ventilator machines. We have the resources to hold the manufacturers of these machines accountable for their negligent actions that led to your pain and suffering.
Contact our legal team today for a free case evaluation.
The Recall of Philips Respironics Ventilators, CPAP Machines, and BiPAP Machines
Many Philips Respironics ventilators, CPAP machines, and BiPAP machines were subject to a manufacturer recall. This happened after it became apparent to users and consumer safety analysts that elements of a polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam broke down inside these devices, and users inhaled them. The sound abatement foam contained dangerous chemicals that entered users’ bodies.
The following are the specific CPAP machines and BiPAP machines subject to recall due to the risk of user exposure to potentially cancer-causing chemicals:
- SystemOne (Q-Series)
- SystemOne ASV4
- OmniLab Advanced+
- E30
- C-Series S/T and AVAPS
- C-Series ASV
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- DreamStation Go
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation
These are the Philips mechanical ventilators recalled:
- Trilogy 100
- Trilogy 200
- A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto
- A-Series BiPAP A30 and A40
- A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30
- Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent
Most of the Philips Respironics machines facing recall were manufactured between 2009 and 2021. The recall stems from several concerning physical symptoms and illnesses, including, but not limited to, respiratory disease, lung cancer, kidney damage, and liver cancer. Philips issued this recall of the Respironics machines months after Philips advised consumers of potential health risks related to its products.
If you used a Philips Respironics machine and experienced any physical symptoms related to these serious medical conditions, then you may have the right to obtain financial compensation for your injuries and all related losses. Call Michigan Injury Lawyers today to schedule your free case consultation and learn more about these medical device cases.
The Food and Drug Administration and The Recall of Philips Respironics Machines
In the summer of 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changed the level of the Philips recall to Class 1. This is the most serious designation level that the FDA authorizes.
Many attorneys across the United States are investigating and analyzing the legal rights of patients related to Philips CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and ventilator machines. The manufacturing and design defects of these machines may have affected millions of adults and children in the United States.
Our attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers are paying close attention to the Food and Drug Administration adverse reporting system. The FDA has received more than 1,000 complaints regarding at least 100 known injuries possibly stemming from PE-PUR sound abatement foam breaking down.
If you believe that you have a complaint regarding one of these machines and resulting injuries, you want to speak with an attorney at Michigan Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. We can help if you or your loved one has experienced any complications or side effects from any recalled Philips Respironics CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, or ventilator machines.
Polyester-Based Polyurethane Sound Abatement Foam and Breathing Problems
Researchers connect the Philips Respironics CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and ventilator machines with black particles and black debris inside the air pathways attached to these devices. Patients have complaints stating that they experienced sinus infections, upper respiratory irritation or infection, chest pressure, persistent coughing, and intense headaches, among other symptoms, after using tainted machines.
Patients claim that their symptoms resulted from exposure to dangerous chemicals in the sound abatement foam found in the Philips Respironics machines. These patients also reported experiencing skin hypersensitivity, vomiting, and nausea. These symptoms are typical responses to exposure to high amounts of certain chemical exposure.
Some analysts and researchers report that the sound abatement foam may physically deteriorate in humid environments. Also, if the Philips Respironics machines get cleaned in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer’s guidelines, then the sound abatement foam may loosen and break down.
Sleep Apnea and Philips Respironics Machines
Sleep apnea affects approximately two to nine percent of adults in the United States. Many of these patients use CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and ventilator machines to treat their symptoms associated with sleep apnea. Such symptoms may include waking up with a dry mouth, stopping breathing during sleep, insomnia, gasping during sleep, and persistent snoring.
The ventilator machines help patients breathe regularly during the night while they sleep. These machines regulate the amount of oxygen available to the sleeping person, which should help alleviate symptoms of sleep apnea. Many patients diagnosed with sleep apnea need these machines to keep them safe while they sleep during the night.
If sleep apnea remains untreated, then many health problems can affect patients. High blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, heart attacks, and strokes can arise if sleep apnea goes untreated for long periods.
The BiPAP machines use pressure to fill the patient’s airways with oxygen. BiPAP is an acronym meaning bilevel positive airway pressure. The amount of pressure administered by these BiPAP machines increases as patients inhale and decreases as patients exhale.
CPAP is an acronym meaning continuous positive airway pressure machine. These devices keep the patient’s airways open and filled with a constant amount of oxygen administered through a breathing mask. Many physicians recommend that patients diagnosed with sleep apnea use a CPAP machine every night while they sleep.
If you or your loved ones used one of these Philips Respironics machines facing recall and suffered cancer or another serious illness as a result, you should call Michigan Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys can help you recover the financial compensation you need to help you recover from your injuries.
What Causes The Sound Abatement Foam to Deteriorate?
The sound abatement foam inside Philips Respironics machines can deteriorate as patients use the machines and small foam particles remain inside the devices. Polyurethane foam deterioration releases carcinogenic gases that may cause cancer.
Philips states that humid environments can cause the sound abatement foam to break down over time. Incorrect and unapproved cleaning methods can also cause the sound abatement foam to fall apart over time. Many people claim that they did not know these risks.
Why Is Philips Legally Liable?
Machine users claim that Philips did not warn them about the possible dangers that could result from using the Respironics machines, which they claim Phillips knew about before the recall. Those affected patients may have the right to seek monetary compensation for the cost of the Philips Respironics device, the loss of a loved one, personal injuries, and illnesses.
Michigan Injury Lawyers can help you recover financially for your injuries related to your use of a Philips Respironics machine. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation and find out how to protect your legal rights.
What Should I Do if My CPAP or BiPAP Device Is One of the Recalled Devices?
If you are using a device listed under the recall, then you should schedule an appointment with your physician and tell him or her as soon as possible that you have concerns about your device and possible health effects. It may be unsafe for you to stop using the device completely. Patients who stop using CPAP machines report respiratory and heart complications, and stopping treatment may create serious risks to their health. Your physician is familiar with your medical history, as well as your treatment plan.
Inline Bacterial Filters
Patients advised to continue using their CPAP machine may have to use an inline bacterial filter that can help filter sound abatement foam particles from inhalation. The FDA provides information regarding these inline bacterial filters.
The inline bacterial filters do have limitations. These filters may not filter every dangerous chemical released when the toxic sound abatement foam deteriorates. The best thing patients and physicians can do is monitor devices for the breakdown of foam and any particles that may be inhaled or ingested by a patient.
What Might the Average Settlement Amount Be for a CPAP Sleep Apnea Case?
Our attorneys are in the early stages of analyzing the Philips Respironics recall cases and deciding how these cases might resolve in the future. It is impossible to predict the exact amounts of future settlements, as this depends on the losses of each patient or a group of patients bringing a claim together.
Our team analyzes data related to comparable cases in which patients suffered from cancer because of using a medical device or ingesting dangerous chemicals. In product liability lawsuits in which victims suffered from cancer, there may potentially be millions of dollars in potential settlements.
The important thing is that victims in successful lawsuits should expect settlements that cover their life-changing losses. Wrongful death cases may have higher settlement amounts, depending on the amount of pain and suffering experienced by the decedents and their families. Our attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers will continue to observe the developments in these cases and any future recalls issued by Philips. If you have a potential case related to this recall then you should call our law firm today for your free consultation.
Many other factors can influence the amount of a settlement in a CPAP sleep apnea case. Patients using Philips Respironics machines containing faulty sound abatement foam may have experienced physical pain and discomfort. Patients may also have other medical conditions that were exacerbated by the use of Philips Respironics machines.
Patients may also recover financial compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills. Our CPAP injury lawyers can help you discover the approximate amount of financial compensation you may be able to receive as part of a case settlement.
Philips Released An Analysis Listing Many Harmful Chemicals Found in Deteriorated Sound Abatement Foam in CPAP Machines
Philips released a laboratory analysis of deteriorated sound abatement foam from affected CPAP machines.
The analysis discovered many dangerous chemicals in the deteriorated sound abatement foam:
- Toluene diamine was found in the deteriorated sound abatement foam. This chemical can cause organ damage, skin reactions, genetic deformities, various forms of cancer, and infertility.
- Diethylene glycol was also found by the Philips team performing the laboratory analysis. Diethylene glycol may be toxic if ingested orally and it may irritate the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes.
- Toluene diisocyanate was analyzed in the sound abatement foam. Toluene diisocyanate may be fatal if inhaled, and it can cause skin irritation, ocular damage, respiratory damage, and various forms of cancer.
Call Michigan Injury Lawyers Today to Discuss Your Legal Rights
Your health is important and you do not need to waste another minute deciding if you should pursue legal action to protect your rights and obtain the monetary compensation you deserve. Our lawyers can help you develop a strategy for documenting your medical history, symptoms, and past use of recalled Philips Respironics machines.
If you want a free case consultation, our attorneys and staff will help you today. You will not pay any consultation fees or retainer fees if you decide to retain us as your legal representatives. An attorney will guide your case through the discovery process so we can find out the important facts in your case.
Do not hesitate to contact us online or dial (888) 454-0801 to learn more about your rights. We have many resources available to help you choose the best course of action to assert your legal rights and hold Phillips and any other negligent parties liable for your injuries.