Illinois Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Last month, Philips issued a huge recall of many of its ventilators and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines meant to help those struggling with sleep apnea. The company has issued the recall with no answers as to when the products will be fixed and available again, leaving many people feeling lost without an alternative. People with sleep apnea need these machines to get a good night’s sleep and ensure their safety during the night. Untreated sleep apnea can result in a slew of health problems; everything from anxiety and tiredness to high blood pressure, heart attacks, or strokes. Leaving people without treatment for their sleep apnea is potentially dangerous. However, the problems with these machines need to be resolved before they are safe to use.
What is the Problem with Phillips’ CPAP Machines?
The issue with these devices is the foam that is inside of them, a polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR). This foam is meant to reduce the sounds and vibrations that come from the device, but it has recently been discovered that this foam also has the potential to break down inside the device and enter the air pathway of the machine, leading to the possibility of being inhaled or swallowed by the person using it. The foam also may release chemicals into the airway of the device, which would then be inhaled by the user.
What are the Potential Health Risks?
The risks this poses to users of these devices are abundant and range from minor injuries to serious, lifelong impairment. While there have been no reports of death due to these issues, Philips has received several complaints about various problems with their devices. Some of the most common complaints received are:
- Black debris in the devices air pathway
- Cough
- Headache
- Pressure in the chest
- Sinus infection
- Upper respiratory irritation
Beyond these reported issues, there are potential health risks posed by breathing in the chemicals released by the foam. Some risks from this type of exposure include:
- Asthma
- Carcinogenic effects on the kidneys and liver
- Dizziness
- Eye irritation
- Headaches
- Hypersensitivity
- Inflammatory response
- Nausea
- Respiratory irritation
- Skin irritation
- Vomiting
Until these products are deemed safe for use, it’s best to speak with your doctor about what safer alternatives may be available to you.
What Phillips Products Have Been Recalled?
The products that have been recalled as of now are either CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, or ventilators. Below are all of the model names and numbers of the recalled machines:
- A-Series BiPAP A30
- A-Series BiPAP A40
- A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto
- C-Series ASV
- C-Series S/T and AVAPS
- Dorma 400
- Dorma 500
- DreamStation
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation Go
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- E30
- Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent
- OmniLab Advanced+
- REMstar SE Auto
- SystemOne (Q-Series)
- SystemOne ASV4
- Trilogy 100
- Trilogy 200
If you are currently using one of the devices on this list, it is advised that you speak with your doctor as soon as possible about what you should do. It may not be safe for you to simply stop using the device, so this is something that needs to be discussed with a medical professional that is familiar with your treatment plan and medical history.
Talk to a CPAP Lawsuit Attorney Today
If you have experienced any of the symptoms above and feel you have been injured by your usage of a Phillips CPAP or BIPAP machine, contact the experienced personal injury attorneys at The Collins Law Firm for guidance. We can help you determine if you have a case against the manufacturer. Call us at (630) 527-1595 or fill out our contact form for a FREE evaluation of your Phillips CPAP claim.