Have you suffered from surgical complications associated with Ethicon surgical staplers between 2015 and 2020? If your answer is yes, you may be entitled to file an Ethicon stapler lawsuit.
In October 2019, the U.S food and drug administration (FDA) declared a class 1 recall, the most serious recall, for Ethicon surgical staplers. A class 1 recall generally means that there is a ‘reasonable probability’ that the use of such a product on a human body can cause injuries, unfavorable health conditions, or even death.
What are Surgical Staples?
Surgical staples are a surgeon’s option to make connections between structures, remove part of an organ, or cut through organs and tissues. The use of staples is mostly applied during gastrointestinal tract surgeries.
Some wounds can’t be closed effectively with stitches; in complex wounds, surgical staples are applied. Unlike other closures, which dissolve with time, a doctor must remove staples after 21 days.
What Causes Surgical Stapler Injury
In most cases, Ethicon staple injuries and deaths are caused by:
- Device malfunction, such as lack of firing.
- Design defect, whereby the design of the stable is faulty.
- Manufacturing defect – in this case, the device may have been assembled incorrectly.
- Complications during the surgical procedure.
- Manufacturer’s failure to warn consumers of risks associated with the stapler.
Symptoms of Surgical Stapler Complications
Stapler malfunctions may result in prolonged surgical procedures or further surgical complications such as:
- Bleeding
- Improper Placement
- Leaks in the closure
- Fistula formation
- Increased risk of cancer recurrence
- Bowel leakage
- Death
Patients who experience the above symptoms may need antibiotics, additional surgeries, and closures, as well as additional imaging procedures. The FDA warns that the Ethicon surgical staplers could be linked with more serious complications.
Sometimes, surgical staplers can lead to long-term changes in one’s lifestyle and abilities. Some patients require an ostomy bag that is attached to their bodies for food waste storage. Such a person has no option but to require ongoing medical treatment or assistance with their daily lives.
How Do You Know If You Are at Risk?
Patients who have undergone surgical procedures involving surgical staples face a higher risk of surgical complications. It is almost impossible for patients to know what procedures were used during surgery or which staples were used.
If you display one or more surgical staple complications or require corrective surgery concerning internal staples, you may be affected by the recalled products.
What to Do After a Surgical Stapler Injury
Ethicon staplers can lead to long-term injuries that may create hardships for the affected victims and their families. If you have suffered complications due to surgical staplers, it is best to get in touch with an injury attorney.
An experienced medical attorney can help you determine if you or your loved one was affected by an Ethicon surgical stapler recall. The attorney will determine if you are eligible to file an Ethicon stapler lawsuit. If you believe that your doctor was negligent, an experienced lawyer can advise you on your rights and steps to follow to achieve a legal remedy.