Syracuse Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuits

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Is a Recognized Super Lawyer Committed to Protecting the Rights of Spinal Cord Stimulator Injury Victims In and Around Syracuse. If You or a Loved One Has Been Hurt by a Defective Spinal Cord Stimulator, The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Could Help You Explore Your Best Options for Effective Legal Relief. 

Spinal cord stimulators are supposed to be a modern and minimally invasive way to manage chronic pain. However, a recent series of studies and FDA reports suggest that these devices might not be as safe as medical marketing teams are willing to admit. Over the course of the past 25 years, researchers have identified more than 118,000 cases of faulty spinal cord stimulators resulting in injury or death.

Companies like Abbott and Boston Scientific are loath to admit liability and will often do anything but negotiate a settlement. For large corporations, settling a lawsuit is like setting a precedent, albeit one that comes at the cost of both profits and positive publicity.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective spinal cord stimulator, you could be entitled to significant compensation. A recognized U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firm, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. has spent decades helping New York families assert their rights to a fair recovery. Send us a message online or call us today at 315-839-3939 to speak to a spinal cord stimulator injury lawyer and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation.

Spinal cord stimulators are a medical device used to treat neuropathic and other forms of chronic pain from the inside-out. Pain itself might feel like an immediate physical sensation, but it is the end-result of a physiological process. If you are hurt, the nervous system sends a fast-moving electrical current from the site of injury to the spinal cord, and from there to the brain, which translates the signal to the unpleasant sensation we call pain. 

A spinal cord stimulator interrupts the body’s naturally occurring pain signals through the use of controlled electrical impulses. Most modern systems are comprised of three main components:

1. A set of thin wires which are sometimes called leads or electrodes;
2. A small battery pack that is implanted under the skin; and
3. An internal software that regulates the timing and intensity of stimulation.

The leads are usually implanted in the epidural space, traversing part of the spinal cord, whereas the generator is typically implanted in the upper buttocks or flank. If the system is working properly, the patient can use a remote control to regulate electrical currents up the spinal cord. These alternating currents interfere with natural pain signals, suppressing unpleasant associated symptoms.

Doctors most often recommend stimulators for patients who either do not respond to conventional treatment or have an elevated risk for opioid-related conditions, including dependency. Most people who receive stimulators report no significant complications, but researchers have documented a host of alarming side effects. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Post-surgical infections, including bacterial infections at the implantation site;
2. Tingling, numbness, or uncomfortable stimulation sensations during device use;
3. Lead migration, breakage, or improper positioning that disrupts stimulation;
4. Loss of effectiveness, including a return of pain or worsening symptoms over time;
5. Serious nerve or spinal injuries resulting from surgical complications or device failure; and
6. Generator malfunctions, including battery failures and electrical issues.

These complications are well-documented, but a growing body of evidence suggests that manufacturers may have downplayed other risks inherent to many SCS-type devices. Some patients have also reported internal burns, electrical injuries, and physical trauma serious enough to warrant a second surgery and removal. Others have reported comparatively rare complications, ranging from sexual dysfunction and urinary incontinence to life-altering neurological disabilities.

You should not have to pay the price for a manufacturer’s negligence.

Depending on the circumstances of your claim and the severity of your injury, you could be entitled to damages for:

1. Your existing medical bills;
2. The costs of future or anticipated care;
3. Long-term or assisted living;
4. Physical rehabilitation;
5. Lost income from work;
6. Emotional pain and suffering;
7. Physical pain and suffering;
8. Loss of enjoyment;
9. Disfigurement; and
10. Death.

New York does not cap damages in most product liability claims, which means that you could receive as much money as you need to reclaim your financial independence. However, you cannot afford to wait too long to take action. State law might not limit your compensation, but it does set strict limits on how, when, and where you can file a lawsuit. If you delay, the statute of limitations applicable to your claim could expire, leaving you without any option for legal recourse.

Standing up to a pharmaceutical company like Abbot, Boston Scientific, or Medtronic is easier said than done. Companies like Boston Scientific, for instance, are multibillion-dollar enterprises. They are no stranger to litigation, and they often have a veritable army of lawyers on hand lawyers who do nothing but defend their employer from product liability lawsuits.

Negotiating a settlement or securing an award at trial usually means meeting a very high standard. You might have to review years and years’ worth of scientific literature, consult expert witnesses, and investigate the defendant’s manufacturing practices and internal corporate culture toward safety. Needless to say, most companies would not provide access or share information without a court order.

You likely stand your best chance of success with an experienced lawyer in your corner.

Even though litigating an SCS injury claim requires an enormous investment of time, resources, and energy, you may not have to pay anything at all for representation. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C. works on a contingent fee basis, meaning that we only accept payment as a percentage of the compensation you receive if and when you win your claim. If we cannot secure a settlement or win at trial, we would not ask you to pay us for our services. Scheduling a consultation and speaking to an attorney is fast, free, and easy. Send us a message online or call us today at 315-839-3939 to speak to a spinal cord stimulator lawyer near Syracuse and schedule your 100% free, no-obligation consultation as soon as possible.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 315-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Syracuse, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!