The Hidden Risks of Defective Spinal Cord Stimulators
Chronic back pain can be a heavy burden, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. Many people turn to spinal cord stimulators, devices designed to relieve pain by sending electrical signals to the nerves.
At first glance, they seem like a miracle solution, offering hope for a more comfortable life. However, some models have turned out to be defective, causing issues like increased pain, infections, or even nerve damage. Instead of finding relief, patients have faced worsening conditions and a long road to recovery.
If you’ve been injured by a spinal cord stimulator gone wrong, you may be eligible to take legal action. For nearly two decades, The Lyon Firm has fought on behalf of those hurt by defective medical devices. Get in touch with us online or call (513) 381-2333 today to learn how we can help you stand up for your rights and get you back on track toward recovery.
“Mr. Joe Lyon went above and beyond what was necessary in helping me through every step of my wrongful death lawsuit. Showing actual concern and empathy for my situation. All I can say is thank you for everything.”
- Client: Lance G.
What Are Spinal Cord Stimulators?
Spinal cord stimulators are medical devices that help people manage chronic pain, specifically in the back and legs. They are usually implanted in the patient’s lower back and work by sending gentle electrical signals to the spinal cord.
A battery, placed under the skin, provides power to these wires. When someone experiences pain, the device sends electrical signals through the leads to the spinal cord.
These signals can help block pain signals from reaching the brain, which can reduce the feeling of pain. Patients can also adjust the strength and pattern of the signals using a remote control. A patient may receive a spinal cord stimulator to treat the following:
- Chronic Back Pain
- Heart Pain
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Pain Post-Surgery
- Nerve Pain
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
Spinal cord stimulators are usually reserved for cases in which patients are still experiencing pain after surgery.
ABOUT THE LYON FIRM
Joseph Lyon has 17 years of experience representing individuals in complex litigation matters. He has represented individuals in every state against many of the largest companies in the world.
The Firm focuses on single-event civil cases and class actions involving corporate neglect & fraud, toxic exposure, product defects & recalls, medical malpractice, and invasion of privacy.
NO COST UNLESS WE WIN
The Firm offers contingency fees, advancing all costs of the litigation, and accepting the full financial risk, allowing our clients full access to the legal system while reducing the financial stress while they focus on their healthcare and financial needs.
Companies That Manufacture Spinal Cord Stimulators
Spinal cord stimulator manufacturers include:
- Medtronic: Inceptiv closed-loop rechargeable and Intellis Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems
- Abbott: Prodigy, Proclaim, Proclaim XR, Eterna OG, Eterna Genesis, Eterna Eon, and Axium Spinal Cord Stimulation Systems
- Boston Scientific: WaveWriter Spinal Cord Stimulator System and Precision Spinal Cord Stimulator System
- Nevro: Senza Spinal Cord Stimulator System
- Biotronik NRO Inc.: Prospera Spinal Cord Stimulator System
- Saluda Medical: Evoke Spinal Cord Stimulator System
- St. Jude: Eon and Eon Mini Spinal Cord Stimulator Systems
If you were injured by a spinal cord stimulator but don’t see your exact model here, get in touch with The Lyon Firm online or call (513) 381-2333 today. We can clear up any confusion and determine whether you qualify for a spinal stimulator lawsuit.
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Spinal Cord Stimulator Problems
Many people who received spinal cord stimulators were looking for a way to ease their chronic pain and improve their daily lives. They hoped these devices would help them enjoy activities they once loved and regain some normalcy.
However, some defective spinal cord stimulators have only worsened patients’ conditions, leaving them to struggle with even more pain and anguish than before. Below are some of the common spinal cord stimulator problems that have plagued individuals seeking relief:
- Overheating: The FDA sets a limit on how hot devices can get inside the body. They say that implantable pulse generators for spinal cord stimulators should not go over 42°. Some of these devices didn’t follow this rule.
- Overstimulation: Electrical problems can lead to incorrect signals in the body, which can cause intense pain and result in lasting damage to nerves and tissues.
- Breakage: Breakage of spinal cord stimulators can occur due to factors such as excessive strain on the lead wires, external impacts, or manufacturing defects, leading to increased pain or discomfort for the patient and often requiring surgery to fix or replace it.
- Incorrect placement: This can lead to ineffective pain relief or increased discomfort.
- Migration: A common issue with spinal cord stimulators is device migration, where the electrodes shift out of place. This can reduce the effectiveness of pain relief and usually requires another surgery to reposition the electrodes.
Injuries in a Back Stimulator Lawsuit
These malfunctions in spinal cord stimulators can cause a number of horrific injuries in patients, including:
- Permanent nerve and tissue damage
- Debilitating pain
- Severe burns
- Spinal cord trauma
- Heart problems
- Paralysis
It’s important to understand that many patients face the frightening reality of needing grueling revision surgery due to these injuries and malfunctions. This surgery is not only painful but carries serious risks, like permanent nerve damage or even paralysis.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective spinal cord stimulator, you may be able to take legal action to get financial support to help you through this difficult and uncertain time. Get in touch with The Lyon Firm today online or by calling (513) 381-2333.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me in a Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuit?
Filing a defective medical device lawsuit can be challenging to do on your own. These types of cases involve large corporations with the money, resources, and usually their own legal team to defend themselves.
At The Lyon Firm, we have dedicated ourselves to ensuring companies don’t get away with negligence simply because they have deep pockets. A lawyer can be with you every step of the way in a back stimulator lawsuit and help your case by:
- Collecting Medical Records: These might be the most important pieces of evidence in a faulty medical device case, including pre-operation, surgical, and postoperative documentation. It’s important to gather records of any additional care related to injuries from the defective device, starting from your first reported discomfort to your latest treatment.
- Handling Communications: Your lawyer can communicate and negotiate on your behalf with the company’s defense; that way you won’t have to worry about harming your case or taking time out of your recovery.
- Fighting for a Fair Settlement: With an attorney by your side, you won’t have to settle for less, as they will ensure the full extent of the damages you suffered are taken into account and that your compensation reflects what you’ve endured.
An experienced legal team can take care of your claim from beginning to end, so you can put your full attention on getting better. Additionally, studies have shown that working with a lawyer can significantly improve your odds of walking away with a settlement.
For example, a 2016 study by Martindale-Nolo found that, on average, people who hired a lawyer received about $77,600 in compensation, while those who tried to handle it on their own only got around $17,600.
“Choosing to pursue a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit is a powerful step toward justice, not just for yourself but for others who might be affected. By standing up, you could prompt a recall that prevents future suffering for other patients. It’s about holding negligent companies accountable while also taking care of your future.”
Joe Lyon,
Founding Partner of the Lyon Firm
Why Hire The Lyon Firm
The Lyon Firm has worked with thousands of clients across all 50 states for nearly twenty years. We have taken on some of the biggest companies in the world in dozens of cases. This means we know the ins and outs of complex implanted medical device cases, like hip implants and shoulder implants.
Our firm has achieved impressive results, winning numerous seven-figure settlements for clients. Reach out to us online or call (513) 381-2333 today to learn more about what we can do for you in a defective medical device case.