Defective Defibrillators
A defibrillator is a device that is used to revive the heart of an unconscious patient. This equipment is created to provide the patient with an electric shock as an effort to cease ventricular fibrillation. This kind of incidence occurs when the coordination of the heart's muscular tissue contraction is distorted or chaotic. The occurrence of an abnormal ventricular fibrillation results in minimum blood flow or no blood flow at all, which may lead to cardiac arrest. Minutes after the hypoxic damage to the brain, a patient dies. While a pulse may still be detected, the defibrillator is used. Its electrical current depolarizes the heart's electrical system, which ceases the electrical activity. When this happens, the impulses from the pathways of normal conduction are given a chance to repossess control over the heart's muscular tissue.
An internal defibrillator is mostly used in patients who have a high-risk of ventricular fibrillation. It is implanted into the patient to give him or her immediate defibrillation. Through the constant monitoring of the patient's heart rhythm, pulse rate, waveform, and the comparison of the ventricular and atrial activity, a ventricular fibrillation can be detected. When such a problem is discovered, defibrillation occurs in the patient.
Problems with the defibrillator emerged in the middle of 2005. There has been a notification to the doctors that the device has a flaw to its design. Some of the units have been known to short-circuit and fail. There have already been 26 reported cases of unit malfunctions, and one case has lead to the death of the patient. According to estimates, there have already been 24,000 patients who have been implanted with a defibrillator. The sad fact about this problem is that some patients are not aware of the defects of the device that are being implanted in them. What is even more shocking is that the company has waited three years before they informed doctors and patients about the flaws of their device.
If a member from your family has a heart problem and has been using an implanted defibrillator, there is the possibility of serious health consequences in the event that the device malfunctions. If this happens, immediately contact a doctor for medical help. Then, contact a product liability or defective medical device lawyer to provide you with legal assistance. In your search for a lawyer in this field, you can gain more information about the procedures that should be taken regarding this problem. When you file for a lawsuit, you need to consult with your lawyer. Once you locate a qualified attorney, he or she can walk you through the litigation process, helping you to reach an appropriate settlement.
When you seek for the legal guidance of a product liability lawyer or attorney, you may not have any financial risks. Many lawyers are likely to offer services on a contingency basis, meaning the initial consultation with your attorney is free, and if you win your case, or if a settlement has been negotiated, you can pay your lawyer a set percentage of that amount. Some firms offer no-win, no-pay services. In other words, in the event that you lose your case, lawyer fees are waived.
Your lawyer is capable of handling this kind of case because he or she has been educated in the proper procedures of the litigation. Furthermore, he or she has various resources, which are very helpful for the preparation of the lawsuit. Aside from this, he or she is also competent and capable of facing the responsible company without fear. Nevertheless, it is critical that you act quickly, as many states enforce strict time limitations concerning lawsuits and product liability. In an effort to avoid unlawful claims and unfeasible allegations, statutes of limitation laws only allow these lawsuits to be filed within a specific time frame. In some states, the time span is as much as four years, while in others it is as short as one year. It is important to research laws concerning civil suits in your state, and locate an attorney quickly. Above all, an attorney should be willing to uphold your rights while obtaining justice for your losses.
