The Dickerson Oxton Law Firm is investigating lawsuits concerning failed Spinal Cord Stimulators from several manufacturers. If you or a loved one suffered injuries or required corrective surgery or other treatment after implantation of a Spinal Cord Stimulator for chronic pain, contact our firm as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
What is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?
An Implantable Spinal Cord Stimulator for pain (SCS) consists of electrode wires placed on the interior of the spinal column, anchored in contact with the spinal cord and then connected to an implanted pulse generator (IPG) that delivers electrical pulses to the dorsal spine. The mechanism of the purported pain relief induced by electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is poorly understood. Several theories have been proposed, most of which suggest that the devices block transmission of pain signals by nerve fibers in the spinal cord to the parts of the brain involved in pain perception. Despite ongoing research, these theories remain unproven. In practice, lead wire placement and stimulation dosing for spinal cord stimulators are done empirically.
Following implantation, the monitoring and adjustment of the SCS device is often handled entirely by the SCS manufacturer sales representatives. Some of these representatives have formal medical training, but many do not. As a result, the device adjustment process meant to deliver adequate pain relief to the patient is often an endless, painful process of blind trial-and-error not overseen by a licensed medical provider.
What Injuries and Complications are Associated with Spinal Cord Stimulators?
Based on data available through FDA databases and reports from our clients, some common complications and injuries associated with failure of a Spinal Cord Stimulator include:
- Lack of pain relief following permanent IPG implant;
- Lack of responsiveness from manufacturer representatives;
- Lead migration;
- Painful shocking;
- Cardiac Arrhythmias;
- Bowel dysfunction, including acute onset fecal incontinence and/or idiopathic diarrhea;
- Bladder dysfunction, including urinary incontinence or urinary retention;
- Acute onset extremity weakness.
Why Work With Dickerson Oxton?
- The attorneys at the Dickerson Oxton Law Firm have a firm client-focused philosophy when it comes to legal representation. We understand how devastating a medical device injury can be, and we work diligently to maximize each client’s recovery after such incidents and hold the responsible parties accountable.
- Our firm’s success rate is over 98%, thanks to our experience, resources, and tenacity in court. We conduct thorough investigations for every case to provide each client with the most complete representation possible.
- We operate on a contingency fee billing structure. This means our clients pay nothing in legal fees unless we win their cases.
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
If you suffered injuries and other damages from a spinal cord stimulator device, you may believe that your claim is straightforward, but many factors can complicate even the most clear-cut cases. A spinal cord stimulator lawsuit will typically target the device manufacturer, and medical device companies such as Nevro Corp., Boston Scientific and Medtronic have well-funded legal representation and virtually limitless resources. It is unlikely that the average person could succeed with a faulty medical device claim without professional legal assistance.
Possible Damages in a Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuit
If you or a loved one suffered one or more of the complications listed above after implantation of a Spinal Cord Stimulator, it is possible that those problems were caused by the defective design of the the device.
A successful product liability claim against a medical device manufacturer could yield compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and any other damages resulting from the faulty device. The amount of compensation a plaintiff can receive from a successful lawsuit depends on the severity of the damages sustained, the type of damages, and potential long-term complications and medical needs resulting from the injuries.
Find Legal Representation Today
If you are wondering whether to file an individual claim or join a class action lawsuit already in progress, it is important to know the benefits and drawbacks of either choice. The attorneys at Dickerson Oxton Law Firm in Kansas City, Missouri, understand the devastating toll a SCS device can take on a person, and we are available to discuss your legal options with you.
Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. Once we know the details of your situation, we can let you know whether an individual claim or joining a class action suit would be in your best interests.