CPAP Injury Class-Action Lawsuits and Multi-District Litigation
Attorneys Representing Clients in Litigation Related to Defective CPAP and BiPAP Devices
Millions of people in the United States have been affected by a recall of defective CPAP and BiPAP devices. These devices, which are used to treat sleep apnea and other similar conditions, contained materials that could break down and expose users to toxic chemicals and substances. People who have used the recalled devices may have experienced multiple types of injuries and health issues, and they may be able to pursue compensation from the devices' manufacturer. Because so many people have been affected by these defective products, victims may become involved in class-action lawsuits and multi-district litigation.
Users of defective CPAP or BiPAP machines will need to be sure to understand their options as they seek financial compensation. Our attorneys provide representation for clients in a wide variety of personal injury and product liability cases, including those involving class actions and mass torts. We work to help our clients understand their options and ensure that they take the correct steps to receive financial compensation that will address the damages they have suffered.
What Is a Class-Action Lawsuit?
If large numbers of people have been affected by the actions or negligence of a single company, they can sometimes benefit by joining together to pursue a single lawsuit rather than filing multiple individual cases. This will allow a case to be handled more efficiently, since each person's claim may be based on similar facts and evidence. If the plaintiffs obtain a jury verdict against the defendant or reach a settlement, the damages awarded will be allocated among the plaintiffs.
Typically, a class-action lawsuit is appropriate if all of the plaintiffs' claims are based on the same issues, and the defendant would respond to each of these claims in a similar fashion. Cases in which individuals claim that they suffered personal injuries are typically found not to be appropriate for Class-Action certification. While the individuals' claims may all be related to the manufacturer's use of materials that created a risk of injury to the devices' users, each individual plaintiff's injuries, medical history and use of the devices are different and the law of each state where the individual plaintiffs live are different, precluding handling the claims as a single Class-Action.
What Is Multi-District Litigation?
When lawsuits are filed against a single defendant for the same claims in more than one federal district, these lawsuits are sometimes consolidated into a single case heard before a federal judge. During Multi-District Litigation, the judge will handle all issues related to discovery of relevant facts, documents, and other information. This will allow for the gathering of information that is relevant to all of the individual claims through methods such as depositions, subpoenas, interrogatories, or requests to produce documents. This information may be used when prosecuting the individual lawsuits, or the parties may negotiate a global settlement that will provide compensation to all plaintiffs who have a claim against the defendant. Since lawsuits related to defective CPAP devices are likely to be filed in multiple federal districts throughout the United States, the consolidation of these cases into multi-district litigation may be an effective way to resolve these claims and ensure that victims can receive compensation.
Contact Our Class-Action Lawsuit Lawyers
If you have experienced health issues related to the use of a recalled CPAP or BiPAP machine, our attorneys can help you determine your best options for pursuing litigation against the device's manufacturer. We will advise you on whether you can join an existing class-action lawsuit or whether filing your own individual lawsuit may be beneficial. We will advocate on your behalf to ensure that you can receive compensation for the injuries and damages you have experienced. Contact us to set up a complimentary consultation and get started with your case.