Medical devices are designed to improve patient health and quality of life. Most do. But some don’t. When these devices are defectively designed or improperly manufactured, they can cause serious harm to patients.
If you were harmed by a defective medical device, the Las Cruces medical malpractice lawyers at Coates & Johnson, PLLC can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Coates & Johnson, PLLC to Handle My Defective Medical Device Case?
Device manufacturers and the hospitals that implant their products rarely admit fault without a fight, and they often have far greater resources than the patients they’ve harmed. Taking on that kind of opposition requires attorneys who know how to fight back.
Patients choose Coates & Johnson, PLLC for their defective medical device claims because:
- We focus only on medical malpractice cases, including those involving defective devices
- One of our founding attorneys went to medical school, so we understand how these devices are actually used in patient care
- We bring in engineers and device experts to help show what went wrong and why
- A partner stays personally involved in your case from start to finish
- There’s no upfront cost — we only get paid if we win your case
If a medical device caused you harm, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Las Cruces medical malpractice attorney.
What Is a Defective Medical Device Claim?
A defective medical device claim arises when a patient suffers harm from a medical device that was flawed in its design, manufacturing, or the way it was marketed to patients and providers. These claims may be brought against device manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, or the physicians who implanted or recommended the device.
Medical devices involved in these claims commonly include:
- Hip and knee replacement implants
- Spinal cord stimulators and bone screws
- Hernia mesh and surgical mesh products
- Pacemakers and defibrillators
- Insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors
- Surgical robots and laparoscopic instruments
- IUDs and other implanted contraceptive devices
In many cases, manufacturers are aware of problems with a device well before a recall is issued. Contact our surgical error lawyer in Las Cruces if you’ve been operated on with defective medical equipment.
Signs That a Medical Device May Have Caused Your Injury
Because many devices are implanted within the body, injuries from such devices are not always immediately apparent. And they are not always located at the implantation site.
You should seek legal guidance if you experience:
- Unexplained pain, swelling, or inflammation at or near an implant site
- Device failure or malfunction requiring revision surgery
- Infection or tissue damage linked to a device
- A manufacturer recall affecting a device they have or had
- Injuries that developed gradually after a device was implanted or used
- Complications a physician cannot explain through any other cause
Seeking the earliest intervention possible can help ensure the device-related injuries do not worsen.
Establishing Liability for a Defective Medical Device Under New Mexico Law
Defective medical device cases in New Mexico may proceed under both products liability law and medical negligence law. A products liability claim focuses on proving the device was defective, specifically whether it was defectively designed, improperly manufactured, or accompanied by inadequate warnings. If so, the device manufacturer may be strictly liable for your injuries.
A medical negligence claim may apply if a physician implanted a device improperly or failed to inform the patient of known risks. Establishing liability typically requires complex technical evidence, regulatory records, and expert testimony from engineers, physicians, and other specialists. Having an experienced attorney on your side is essential for such claims.
Contact an Experienced Defective Medical Device Lawyer for Help
Device manufacturers have significant legal and financial resources at their disposal. But that shouldn’t shield them from liability if they made a device that injured you instead of improving your health.
The Las Cruces defective device attorneys at Coates & Johnson, PLLC have the experience to take on these cases. Call us today for a free consultation and let us help you understand your rights.