Medical devices were created with the purpose of helping patients in some way. Although most medical devices solve problems and help people overcome or cope with different conditions, this is not always the case. When a medical device malfunctions or is improperly installed, it can lead to serious injuries that can affect an individual’s daily life. If you have been injured by a medical device, you should know of all the different ways that your injury could have a negative impact on your daily life and what legal options you have to recover compensation for your losses.
What Types of Injuries can Occur as a Result of a Defective Medical Device?
Hundreds of different types of injuries can occur as a direct result of a medical device when it malfunctions. However, the exact types of injuries sustained will depend on the type of medical device used and how it was used. Some of the injuries that can occur include:
- Brain injuries. If a medical device fails to do what it is intended to do, it can lead to a lack of oxygen to the brain, which can cause serious brain injuries. A lack of oxygen can cause a person to become unresponsive and even pass away from their injuries.
- Foreign body reactions. Sometimes the body does not react well to having a foreign body inside of it. Complications will often ensue, including severe pain, nausea, and sweating. When foreign body reactions occur, individuals must seek immediate medical attention.
- Bowel obstruction. Some medical devices can lead to bowel obstruction. A bowel obstruction occurs when there is a blockage inside the intestines. The blockage makes it nearly impossible for an individual to have a bowel movement, which can lead to serious injury.
- Unbearable pain. Incorrect placement of a medical device or the malfunction of the device could cause unbearable pain that requires immediate intervention.
- Inflammation. It is possible for different parts of the body to experience severe inflammation because of a medical device, including a person’s joints and bones.
While these are some of the injuries that a person can develop because of a medical device, there are dozens of other types of injuries that can occur, many of which are incredibly serious and even life-threatening at times.
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How do These Injuries Impact a Person’s Way of Life?
Someone who sustains serious injuries from a medical device may experience pain and discomfort like never before. Depending on the extent of their injuries, they could be unable to participate in activities that once came naturally to them. Some of the different ways that a person may be negatively impacted by a medical device injury include:
- Paralysis. When a medical device injury is extremely severe, it can lead to paralysis. An individual may no longer be able to use his or her arms, legs, or other body parts.
- Excruciating pain. Some injuries cause chronic pain that simply does not go away, even with surgery. Those living with chronic pain will often need to take prescription medication and undergo hours of therapy to get even the slightest bit of relief.
- Difficulty walking. A medical device injury can lead to such severe inflammation of the bones and joints that it makes it a challenge for an injured individual to run or even do something as simple as a walk from one room to the next.
- Make it hard to move around freely. Doing certain movements can cause excruciating pain to occur when someone has been injured because of a medical device. Those who experience this type of pain may not be able to participate in sports or other types of activities that they used to enjoy.
Some injuries can have much more of a negative impact than others. When an injury changes a person’s way of life, that person may want to seek legal advice and pursue a personal injury claim to help them obtain compensation.
Injured by a Medical Device? Understand Your Legal Options
Were you injured because of a medical device? You may have expected the medical device to help you by improving your condition, but it did the exact opposite, causing more pain and suffering. If so, you need to know and understand your legal options. Speaking with an attorney is the right decision to make. At Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, we understand that your life may have drastically changed because of a medical device. We want to help you. Consult with us today at our Alabama office by calling 205-308-1991 at your earliest convenience.
