We all should be able to expect products, from everyday household goods to drugs and medical devices, to be safe. But that’s not always the case.
It doesn’t matter if a dangerous product was poorly designed, deceptively marketed, or just presents hazards that weren’t known at the time. What does matter is that a defective product can hurt you or even kill you.
It’s important to stay informed about safety issues in common products and pay attention to those that have been recalled. That’s why we like to give periodic updates on products that may pose safety issues. Here are some potentially hazardous products that have been in the news recently:
IVC filters
An IVC blood filter (“IVC” stands for “inferior vena cava”) is a cage-like device inserted into the largest vein in the body to capture blood clots that might otherwise reach the lungs and cause a potentially fatal blockage.
IVC filters are especially helpful to people who can’t take blood thinners, but they can present dangerous side effects. For example, these filters can fracture, migrate, get stuck or get tilted, resulting in perforations of vessels, organs and tissues that can be fatal.
A recent case out of Texas highlights the heightened risk of these filters being left in too long. In that case, doctors planned to remove an IVC filter from a Houston firefighter seven weeks after it was implanted. Though the FDA recommends removing the filter 29 to 54 days after implant, meaning his surgery was within the suggested range, it was apparently too long.
During surgery to remove the filter, doctors couldn’t find the implant, which had lodged in a vessel. A subsequent surgery also was unsuccessful, and now the patient will have to go through ongoing monitoring. A jury found the hospital accountable and ordered the patient to be compensated for his harm.
This isn’t to say that IVC filters are dangerous in every case That’s an issue to discuss with your doctor, but beware of the risks and be advised that lifestyle changes can decrease the risks of blood clots too. In the meantime, if you or someone you love has suffered complications from an IVC filter, talk to a lawyer to find out what rights you have.
CVS nasal mist
Millions of people who suffer from sinus pain and pressure use nasal sprays for much-needed relief. Nasal mist users should be aware that CVS-brand nasal missed has been pulled from the shelves by its Florida-based manufacturer, Product Quest Manufacturing, in a voluntary recall announced by the FDA.
According to the manufacturer, a specific lot of the spray was contaminated with a bacteria that could result in infection. The infection from this particular strain of bacteria could even be life-threatening for those with immune-system problems or cystic fibrosis. If you have CVS-brand nasal mist in your medicine cabinet, be sure to check the side panel. If it’s coded with “Lot 173089J” and “EXP 09/19,” it’s one of the more than 16,000 units that’s been recalled.
Zostavax
Anyone who’s ever experienced the pain of shingles would probably view Zostavax, a drug intended to prevent it in adults, as a godsend. However there are indications that its side effects can result in viral infections, creating questions about how safe it is.
For example, a woman recently filed suit against the drug’s manufacturer, Merck, claiming she developed a severe shingles outbreak, causing vision loss, after she received the Zostavax vaccine. It’s the latest in a number of lawsuits filed against Merck over Zostavax side effects. If you are thinking of getting the vaccine, it’s very important to discuss these safety issues with a physician.
3M earplugs
For a couple of decades, 3M was selling a special kind of earplug with a “dual-ended” design enabling the plug to be flipped over for varying levels of protection. These earplugs have been used in the military to protect against exposure to the sounds of gunfire and explosions while still allowing the user to hear quieter sounds like approaching troops.
As it turns out, these earplugs may have been defectively designed. For example, users say they’re too short to be inserted properly to provide the right level of protection, and they often dislodge from ear canals in such a way that users don’t notice them. Additionally, they apparently aren’t designed in a way to make a correct seal.
As a result, many servicemen and servicewomen who relied on them for protection have reported hearing loss. What’s even more serious is that 3M allegedly covered up the risks in order to become the military’s exclusive provider of earplugs. Though they were discontinued in 2015 and are no longer in use, it’s estimated that millions of military personnel used these earplugs.
If you or a loved one served in the armed forces over the past 20 years and experienced hearing loss, tinnitus (persistent noise or ringing in your ears) or loss of balance that could be linked to these earplugs, contact an attorney where you live to discuss your options.
If you or a loved one served in the armed forces over the past 20 years and experienced hearing loss, tinnitus or loss of balance that could be linked to these earplugs, contact an attorney where you live to discuss your options.