Defective Medical Devices: When Tools Meant to Heal Cause Harm

Medical devices are meant to save lives, ease pain, and restore mobility. These tools are critical to modern medicine, from pacemakers and surgical mesh to joint implants and pumps. But when something goes wrong, when a device is defective or fails inside the body, the results can be devastating.

At Morgan & Morgan, we represent individuals and families suffering from dangerous or defective medical devices. If a medical implant or device caused you harm, you may be entitled to compensation, and we’re here to help you pursue it.

When Medical Devices Fail

Medical devices are supposed to undergo rigorous testing before hitting the market. However, many are pushed through the FDA’s 510(k) clearance process, which allows manufacturers to sell a new device if it’s “substantially equivalent” to an existing one, without full clinical trials. This system has allowed some defective products to reach patients without adequate oversight.

Common defective devices include:

• Hip and knee replacements with early failure or corrosion
• Surgical mesh used for hernia or pelvic repair can erode or migrate
• Pacemakers and defibrillators that fail to regulate the heartbeat or malfunction
• Breast implants linked to illness, rupture, or tissue damage
• Insulin pumps or infusion devices that deliver incorrect dosages
• Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters that break apart or migrate through the body
• Spinal cord stimulators that cause nerve damage or don’t function as intended

These failures can lead to pain, infection, multiple revision surgeries, or even death.

The Consequences of Defective Devices

The physical and emotional toll can be immense when a medical device fails. Patients often go into surgery believing they’re being helped, only to find themselves worse off than before.

Injuries caused by defective implants and devices may include:

• Chronic pain and inflammation
• Organ or tissue damage from migrating mesh or device fragments
• Device rejection or allergic reaction
• Nerve damage or paralysis
• Heart failure or cardiac arrest
• Repeated surgeries, including painful and expensive revision procedures
• Infection, internal bleeding, or sepsis
• Loss of mobility or quality of life

Many victims feel betrayed by the product, the healthcare system, and the manufacturer, who put profit before patient safety.

Who’s Liable for a Defective Medical Device?

If a medical device has harmed you, one or more parties may be held responsible:

• The manufacturer, for poor design, faulty materials, or lack of testing.
• Distributors or sales reps, who may have promoted off-label or unapproved uses.
• Surgeons or hospitals, if the device was implanted incorrectly or known risks were not disclosed.
• Third-party testers, if safety reports were falsified or ignored.

Most medical device lawsuits fall under product liability law, which includes:

• Design Defects: The product is inherently unsafe, even when used correctly.
• Manufacturing Defects: A flaw occurred during production or quality control.
• Failure to Warn: The manufacturer didn’t properly disclose risks, side effects, or failure rates.

In some cases, you may be part of a larger mass tort, in which hundreds or thousands of victims file against the same company.

What to Do If You Suspect a Defective Device

If you believe a medical device has harmed you or a loved one, it’s important to act quickly:

• Seek medical attention and follow up with a specialist if needed.
• Request your medical records, especially surgical notes and implant documentation.
• Preserve the device, if it has been removed—do not discard it.
• Take notes on symptoms, complications, or additional treatments required.
• Speak with a product liability attorney, especially one with experience in defective medical device claims.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

At Morgan & Morgan, we’re not afraid to take on the medical device industry. Our attorneys work with biomedical experts, surgeons, and regulatory professionals to determine what went wrong and how it could have been prevented.

We may be able to help you recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injury or disability
• Emotional trauma
• Wrongful death (if a loved one passed away)

They Built a Dangerous Device, Let Us Build Your Case

No one should suffer because of a defective medical product. If a device meant to help you has only worsened things, we’re ready to stand up for your rights and hold the manufacturers accountable.

Contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation. Because when your health is on the line, we show up, for good, and For The People.