What Injuries Can Be Caused by Defective CPAP and BiPAP Devices?

Lawyers Representing Patients Injured by Sleep Apnea Treatment Devices

Millions of patients in the U.S. use CPAP and BiPAP devices as a treatment for sleep apnea. This treatment can help patients reduce or eliminate health conditions that may be caused by sleep apnea, such as fatigue, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, or liver disease. However, some of these devices have been recalled because of materials that may cause patients to experience serious injuries or health conditions. Patients who have used CPAP or BiPAP machines will want to understand the potential issues that may affect them, and those who have suffered injuries can work with an attorney to pursue compensation from the manufacturer of a defective device.

Our lawyers provide legal help to patients who have suffered harm after using CPAP or BiPAP devices that contained dangerous materials. If you have used a recalled device, we will work with you to identify any health issues or injuries that may have occurred because of the treatment you have received. We will advise you on the steps you can take to hold a negligent product manufacturer liable for your damages, and we will provide you with legal representation to make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Health Conditions Caused by Recalled CPAP Devices

Millions of CPAP and BiPAP machines manufactured by Philips Respironics between 2009 and June 2021 contained foam used for the purposes of sound abatement and to reduce vibration. This foam is made of polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR), and over time, it can degrade. Small particles of foam may have entered a device's air pathways, causing a user to inhale or swallow these particles. The breakdown of foam may also result in the release of certain chemicals that may be inhaled or absorbed into a person's body.

People who used recalled CPAP or BiPAP devices may have been exposed to multiple types of dangerous chemicals, including diethylene glycol, toluene diisocyanate, toluene diamine, and demethyl diazene. Exposure to these substances and inhalation of foam particles may result in a variety of health conditions, including:

• Respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or pulmonary fibrosis
• Other lung injuries, including acute inhalation injury, interstitial lung disease, inflammation of the lungs resulting in fluid build-up, scarring of lung tissue, pneumoconiosis, sarcoidosis, or respiratory failure
• Heart disease or heart failure
• Different forms of cancer, including lung cancer, throat cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma
• Autoimmune disorders such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Stroke
• Chronic headaches and dizziness
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and skin
• Hypersensitivity to certain chemicals or gases

In addition to injuries or health issues directly caused by the use of a defective CPAP or BiPAP device, those who received this type of treatment while pregnant may have experienced additional complications. In some cases, exposure to toxic chemicals released by these devices may result in birth defects, genetic anomalies, or other health conditions that may affect a child.

Contact Our CPAP and BiPAP Injury Lawyers

Because the CPAP and BiPAP devices that have been recalled were provided to patients for more than 10 years, their users may have experienced extended exposure to chemicals and substances that could cause them to suffer serious injuries and debilitating health conditions. If you or a member of your family used any of the recalled devices to treat sleep apnea, our attorneys can help you understand the ways you may have been affected. We will work with you to gather documentation of the health issues you have experienced and demonstrate that these injuries occurred because of your use of a defective CPAP or BiPAP machine. To set up a complimentary consultation and get the legal representation you need, contact our lawyers today.