Defective Medical Device Lawyer Los Angeles

Your Trusted Advocates at LA Injury Lawyers

Defective or unsafe medical devices can cause life-altering injuries and complications. At LA Injury Lawyers, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries take on victims. Our dedicated team provides expert legal support to hold manufacturers accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

We handle every aspect of your case, from investigating device failures to collaborating with medical experts and negotiating with insurance companies. Whether it’s covering medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering, we are committed to achieving the best outcome for you.

On this page:

Why Choose LA Injury Lawyers

Victims of defective medical devices trust LA Injury Lawyers for our expertise and dedication. We provide:

Expert Legal Guidance: Specializing in cases involving faulty medical devices to maximize results.

Comprehensive Representation: Managing investigations, expert consultations, and legal proceedings.

Aggressive Advocacy: Holding manufacturers accountable and securing fair compensation.

$11 M
Settlement

Brain injury victim

$10 M
Settlement

Car accident victim

$8.2 M
Settlement

Motorcycle
accident victim

$7 M
Settlement

Back injury victim

Medical devices are intended to improve our quality of life, aid in faster recoveries, and sometimes even save lives. From hip implants to pacemakers and surgical meshes, these products are designed and marketed with the promise of improving patient outcomes. Unfortunately, not every device on the market meets this promise. Manufacturing flaws, design defects, insufficient testing, or inadequate warnings can lead to severe or life-threatening patient complications. At LA Injury Lawyers, we are committed to helping individuals who have suffered due to defective medical devices secure the compensation they need to move forward with their lives. Below, we break down how these cases arise, what makes a device defective, and how we can protect your rights in the legal process.

What Are Defective Medical Devices?

A defective medical device is any product intended for medical use that fails to perform safely and effectively as advertised or as reasonably expected by healthcare professionals and patients. When a device malfunctions, breaks, or causes severe complications due to flaws in design, manufacturing, or labeling, it can be classified as defective. Such defects may lead to immense physical, emotional, and financial burdens for patients who trust these products.

In some instances, devices are fast-tracked through regulatory approvals without adequate long-term testing or may be recalled after injury reports. Even after a recall, many patients continue to suffer from complications resulting from the device they received months—or even years—prior. These injuries can involve organ damage, infections, additional surgeries, and sometimes permanent disability.

Common Types of Defective Medical Devices

Medical devices come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from tiny implants to large external machinery. Below are some of the most common categories where defects frequently arise:

  1. Hip and Knee Implants
    Prosthetic hips and knees are designed to restore mobility and reduce pain for patients with severe joint problems. However, faulty implants can loosen prematurely, wear down faster, or cause metal poisoning if certain materials corrode inside the body.
  2. Pacemakers and Defibrillators
    Devices that regulate heart rhythm are critical for cardiac patients. When a pacemaker or defibrillator malfunctions, the result can be heart failure, stroke, or other severe complications. Electrical issues or battery defects can lead to life-threatening emergencies.
  3. Surgical Mesh
    Surgical mesh is often used in hernia repair or pelvic organ prolapse procedures. Defective meshes can erode into surrounding tissue, cause infection, or fail to support the repaired area, leading to persistent pain and repeated surgeries.
  4. Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)
    Designed for birth control, IUDs can migrate or perforate the uterine wall if the device is defectively manufactured or poorly designed. Infections and severe internal injuries sometimes occur, requiring surgical intervention.
  5. Insulin Pumps
    Insulin pumps are used for diabetes management and must accurately dispense insulin. A design flaw or manufacturing defect might result in insulin overdoses or insufficient doses, leading to emergencies such as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
  6. Spinal Cord Stimulators
    Intended to relieve chronic back pain or nerve pain, these implanted devices can malfunction and cause electric shocks, burns, or nerve damage. Defects can lead to severe complications that often necessitate additional surgeries.

In this Section

Unlock the full potential of your personal injury case with our dedicated legal services. At LA Injury Lawyers, we specialize in securing justice and maximum compensation for individuals like you who deserve the best representation.

How Do Medical Devices Become Defective?

There are several points within a product’s life cycle at which it can become defective. These include:

  1. Design Defects
    A flawed design can render a device dangerous even before it is manufactured. For instance, the design is defective if a metal-on-metal hip implant was never tested for long-term side effects such as corrosion. Patients who receive such implants may experience toxicity or bone erosion.
  2. Manufacturing Defects
    Once a device’s design is finalized, errors in production can compromise its safety. These errors might include improper assembly, contamination, or using substandard materials. A single oversight on the assembly line can impact hundreds, if not thousands, of devices.
  3. Marketing or Labeling Defects
    Medical device manufacturers must warn patients and healthcare professionals about potential risks. If these warnings are unclear, incomplete, or intentionally withheld, the device could be deemed defective in the eyes of the law. Patients and doctors rely on these instructions and warnings to make informed decisions; missing or misleading information can prove disastrous.
  4. Lack of Adequate Testing
    Some manufacturers rush their devices to market, failing to conduct sufficient clinical trials or long-term safety studies. As a result, patients become test subjects, only discovering something is wrong when injuries and complications start to mount.

Signs You May Be Dealing with a Defective Device

Not every adverse medical outcome is due to a defective device—sometimes complications occur even when everything is working correctly. However, Suren warning signs may indicate that a product is failing or malfunctioning:

  • Unexpected Pain or Discomfort: If you experience sudden or severe pain in the area of an implant, it may suggest that something is wrong, such as a loosening hip implant or a corroded metal part.
  • Infections or Inflammation: Chronic infections at a surgical site that are exceptionally resistant to typical treatments might be linked to device defects or contamination.
  • Electrical Shocks or Malfunctions: Individuals with pacemakers, defibrillators, or spinal cord stimulators may experience abnormal shocks or have the device fail to operate entirely.
  • Frequent Medical Alerts: Alarms from insulin pumps, defibrillators, or other electronic devices can indicate internal failures or errors in dispensing medication.
  • Product Recalls: A recall from the manufacturer or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a significant red flag. You could be at risk even if you haven’t experienced problems yet.

If you suspect your medical device is defective, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention and contact an experienced attorney to discuss your legal rights.

How LA Injury Lawyers Can Help

Navigating a defective medical device claim can be complicated. You’re dealing with powerful corporations that have extensive legal teams and resources at their disposal. At LA Injury Lawyers, we’re prepared to level the playing field on your behalf. Here’s how we do it:

  1. Comprehensive Case Evaluation
    We start by assessing your unique circumstances. Which medical device caused your injury? When did you receive it? What complications have you experienced? Gathering your medical records, device details, and relevant reports, we build a solid foundation for your case.
  2. Collaboration with Medical Experts
    Proving a device is defective requires specialized knowledge. We partner with medical experts who can analyze design specifications, manufacturing processes, and the clinical impact of a device to provide informed opinions. Their testimony can strengthen your claim and help establish the device’s role in causing injuries.
  3. Evidence Collection and Investigation
    Our legal team understands that the success of a claim often hinges on thorough research. We investigate product recalls before lawsuits and any documented issues related to the device. We also examine the manufacturer’s track record—whether they have faced similar claims and how they responded.
  4. Negotiation Skills
    Once we establish liability, we often negotiate with the device manufacturer and their insurers. Our firm brings extensive settlement discussion experience, ensuring you are not shortchanged. If the opposing side refuses a fair offer, we are fully prepared to take the matter to trial.
  5. Litigation Support
    While many cases settle outside of court, sometimes a trial is the best path to justice. We have experienced litigators who aren’t afraid to face corporate challenges at LA Injury Lawyers. We will present a compelling case to a judge or jury, backed by evidence, expert testimony, and persuasive arguments.
  6. Personalized Client Attention
    We understand that dealing with a defective device is not just about physical harm. The emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. Our attorneys commit to keeping you informed at every step, providing compassionate counsel, and fighting for the compensation you need to recover and move on.

Potential Compensation in Defective Device Cases

If a defective medical device has harmed you, you may be entitled to several forms of compensation:

  • Medical Expenses: This includes past, present, and future costs of surgeries, hospital stays, medications, rehabilitation, and any assistive devices you may need.
  • Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: If your injuries cause you to miss work or diminish your ability to perform your job, you could be compensated for lost income.
  • Pain and Suffering: Chronic pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact on one’s quality of life are considered when calculating a damages award.
  • Loss of Consortium: In some cases, spouses or family members may also pursue compensation for the loss of companionship or support resulting from the injury.
  • Punitive Damages: Courts may award additional damages to punish the manufacturer for incredibly reckless or negligent behavior, though such awards vary based on the specifics of the case and state law.

Statute of Limitations and Time-Sensitive Matters

Every state imposes a specific deadline—the statute of limitations—for filing your claim. For product liability cases involving defective medical devices, the clock often starts ticking from the date the injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Waiting too long to take legal action can permanently bar you from seeking compensation, so it’s critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible.

Areas We
Specialize In

We provide compassionate legal support for individuals facing challenges from personal injuries. Whether it’s a slip and fall, workplace injury, or medical malpractice, our team is here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

01

Car Accident

02

Motorcycle Accident

03

Bicycle Accident

Frequently Asked Questions

You can check the FDA’s website for updated recall information or consult your healthcare provider. You can also contact an attorney to see if your device is involved in a broader lawsuit or class action.

Generally, you need to show that you’ve suffered some injury or harm. However, if you’ve been implanted with a device under recall, you may still have legal avenues to explore, especially if future complications are likely.

Medical professionals are not at fault for manufacturer defects unless they know about the defect and continue to use the device without warning the patient. Your claim is usually directed at the manufacturer, distributor, or other entities responsible for the device’s design and production.

At LA Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This approach allows you to pursue justice without worrying about upfront legal fees.

The timeline varies. Simple cases might resolve within a few months through a settlement, while more complex cases can take a year or more. Delays often arise when manufacturers dispute liability or when extensive medical and technical evidence must be collected.

Contact

FREE CASE EVALUATION.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Recover Compensation For You.

Our locations

Serving Clients Across Los Angeles

Beverly Hills
Downtown LA
East LA
Hollywood
Inglewood
Ventura County
San Fernando Valley
San Gabriel Valley
Santa Clarita
Simi Valley