Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Those who suffer from sleep apnea may be prescribed to used mechanical ventilator devices so that they continue to breathe while sleeping and avoid being woken up multiple times throughout the night.
Sadly, in June of 2021, the main manufacturer of CPAP and BiPAP machines, Philips Respironics, recalled 4 million of its devices because they have been found to cause cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and lung injury.
These affected devices use sound abatement foam liners that are made from polyester-based polyurethane, which can break down into smaller particles that can be inhaled or ingested quite easily. The foam has been found off-gas toxic chemicals that can cause nausea, vomiting, stroke, liver and kidney disease, cancer, serious respiratory issues, as well as myocardial infarction.
The VA has distributed around 600,000 of these recalled CPAP/BiPAP machines to veterans across the country. If you have used one of these mechanical ventilator devices and have suffered from any of the above-mentioned injuries/illness, then you may be eligible to recover financial compensation. We strongly urge you to call our Phillips CPAP/BiPAP/ASV Device Recall Lawyers at Whittel & Melton today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a free consultation so that you can find out more about whether or not you have a claim for compensation.
What Machines Have Been Recalled?
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- SystemOne ASV4
- C Series ASV, S/T, AVAPS
- OmniLab Advanced Plus In-Lab Titration Device
- SystemOne Q series
- DreamStation CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP
- DreamStation Go CPAP, APAP
- Dorma 400, 500 CPAP
- REMStar SE AutoCPAP
What Should I Do If I Have Used/Using One of These Devices?
Many military veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and obesity, which are two leading causes for sleep apnea. For years, many vets have used CPAP or BiPAP machines to help them breathe while sleeping, and now the recall has made these products defective. If you have used a sleep apnea machine, then you may be wondering what to do next. There are several things you can do right now, the first being to sign an online petition for the VA to improve their quality control measures. Second, register with Philips Respironics so that you can be eligible for a replacement device when they are available (this could take up to a year). And perhaps the most important step to take is to contact our Phillips CPAP/BiPAP/ASV Device Recall Lawyers at Whittel & Melton today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online so that we can begin helping you formulate a strategy for building a claim for damages.
While most recalls advise patients to stop using the defective product or drug, this recall is different. If you are currently using one of the machines listed above, then you should contact your doctor about whether or not it is in your best interest to stop using the machine.
What About My Disability Benefits?
We understand that as a veteran you have fought long and hard for your benefits. You may be concerned that you will lose these benefits if you stop using the device prescribed. However, this recall is unique and your benefits will not be affected if you stop using your CPAP or BiPAP machine. The same is true if you have applied for benefits and have a pending application. Continue reading