Personal Injury Law

Malfunctioning Medical Device Leads to Severe Injury

By Steven M. Levin and John J. Perconti

A West Virginia woman recently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against both her surgeon and medical device manufacturer C.R. Bard, reports The West Virginia Record.

The plaintiff, Betty Adkins, underwent surgery in November 2007 to treat her pelvic organ prolapse. According to the Mayo Clinic, pelvic organ proapse occurs with a weakening of the pelvic muscles supporting a woman?s pelvic organs. This muscle weakening may ultimately lead to the pelvic muscles slipping out of place. Surgery is often needed to correct the situation, as was the case with the Mrs. Adkins.

During the procedure Mrs. Adkins surgeon, Dr. Mitchell E. Nutt, implanted an Avaulta Plus Anterior and Posterior BioSynthetic Support System. The medical device installed by her surgeon was designed and manufactured by C.R. Bard.

Unfortunately, for Mrs. Atkins, the device has not operated as was intended. Instead, she has suffered severe pelvic pain, the loss of an organ, permanent physical deformity, and mental pain and suffering.

Betty Adkins trouble with her medical device is not uncommon. Our Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Levin & Perconti have worked with clients time and again who suffered at the hands of improperly made devices and improperly implanted medical equipment. In each case, the consequences of the error were unnecessary physical and emotional suffering.

Medical devices are often necessary to save lives, but patients who need them deserve assurance that the device is in working order and installed properly. The most common devices include stents, dialysis filters, pacemakers, and hip/knee replacements. If you suspect that any of these or similar medical devices may had an adverse effects on your health, be sure to seek representation to protect your rights.

Full post as published by Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog on July 12, 2010 (boomark / email).