Personal injuries aren’t always the result of an accident. They can sometimes be the result of negligence on the part of a medical device manufacturer. When medical equipment has been poorly designed, or quality standards aren’t being applied, malfunctions can happen, that result in severe injuries and even death. According to The National Library of Medicine, between 2018 and 2022, 13,623 medical devices had to be recalled because of poor quality or malfunctions. Medical devices are often crucial parts of medical treatment, and patients need to be able to rely on these devices to be safe. Let’s learn more about how manufacturers are to be held accountable and how a defective medical device lawyer can help you if you’ve been injured.
Who’s Held Accountable?
When a medical device malfunctions, the manufacturers must be held accountable. Patients who have been injured due to a defective medical device can file a product liability claim to hold these organizations accountable. If the original design of the device is proven to be the cause of injuries or malfunction, the designer can be held liable.
A medical device designer has a huge responsibility to create a safe product and to adequately test those products for all possible malfunctions or problems. Design defects would be caught during these tests if there were any. If the product isn’t properly tested, though, it could result in harm to patients. The materials that are used to produce the product might also be to blame, but the designer is still the one who chose the materials.
The actual manufacturer of the product could also be held liable as well. Suppose a designer has taken all of the necessary steps to ensure a product is safe and operating properly. In that case, it’s then the responsibility of the manufacturer to ensure that the products are produced according to high standards. If this doesn’t happen, and the product malfunctions due to production flaws, the manufacturer could be sued.
What Can Patients Do?
If a patient has been injured because of a medical device, they have legal options. Connecting with a defective medical device lawyer would be a good first step. This professional can advise you on the viability of your case and help you through all of the steps of filing a case.
These are just a few things you should know about defective medical devices. If you’re looking for a defective medical device lawyer, please contact The Capital Law Firm today. We look forward to helping you get the compensation you deserve.