If you or a loved one were diagnosed with COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after using a recalled Philips CPAP, BiPAP or ventilator machine, you may be entitled to recover compensation from a CPAP COPD lawsuit case or settlement claim.
A team of medical device injury lawyers and class action attorneys is investigating potential lawsuit cases and settlement claims of individuals who were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD after using a recalled Philips CPAP, BiPap or ventilator machine.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease where the airways in the lungs become inflamed and thicken and lung tissue is damaged or destroyed, usually due to significant exposure to noxious particles, gases or irritants. COPD is chronic (i.e., it lasts a long time and is always there) and it is obstructive (i.e., swelling and mucos in the tubes of the lungs block air from easily moving in and out) making it hard to breathe.
According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, COPD affects more than 15 million adults in the United States and is one of the leading causes of death, with more than 150,000 people expected to die from chronic lower respiratory diseases such as COPD each year in the U.S.
Philips CPAP COPD Lawsuit Cases
Philips CPAP COPD lawsuit cases and settlement claims potentially being investigated include claims of patients who, after using a recalled CPAP, BiPAP or mechanical ventilator machine (e.g., Philips DreamStation, C-Series, Dorma, OmniLab AdvancedPlus, REMstar, System One, A-Series, Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent or Trilogy ventilators machines), suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:
- COPD (new or worsening)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Small airways disease
- Chronic lower respiratory disease
- Other lung disease
- Other respiratory issue
On June 14, 2021, the FDA issued a safety alert announcing that Philips Respironics was recalling certain of its CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilator machines because of potential health risks, including respiratory issues, relating to the possible inhalation of degraded polyester-based polyurethane sound abatement foam from the recalled devices.
The two main types of COPD are emphysema (where the walls between the air sacs or alveoli in the lungs are damaged and become less elastic) and chronic bronchitis (where the lining of the airways are constantly irritated and inflamed causing them to swell and make excess mucus).
COPD Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of COPD can potentially include:
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Frequent coughing
- Frequent wheezing
- Difficulty taking deep breaths
- Feeling out of breath
- Air hunger
- Breathlessness
- Feeling like cannot get enough air
- Air trapping
- Unable to exhale fully
- Cough that produces mucus
- Chest tightness
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Sputum production (coughed up phlegm)
- Rib fracture due to coughing
- Loss of consciousness due to coughing
- Barrel chest
- Tiredness or lack of energy
- Unintended weight loss
- Swelling in legs, ankles or feet
- Unable to do routine activities
- Episodes or exacerbations of symptoms
- Other COPD symptoms
Procedures and tests used to diagnose COPD can include medical history, family history, physical exam, chest X-ray, CT scan, lung function tests such as a spirometry tests (to measure the amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled), and aterial blood gas analysis, among others.
COPD Complications
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complications can potentially include heart disease, respiratory infections (e.g., pneumonia), high blood pressure in arteries of the lung (pulmonary hypertension), respiratory failure, asthma, depression, memory loss or confusion, lung cancer, and/or death, among other potential complications.
In addition, individuals with COPD may be unable to work, unable to walk or climb stairs, need portable oxygen tanks and may not be able to participate in normal activities, among other things. Unfortunately, COPD is a progressive lung disease that typically gets worse over time.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment
Although there is currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD treatments to control symptoms, slow progression and reduce complications can potentially include bronchodilators (to relax the muscles around the airways), inhaled steroids (to reduce inflammation and excerbations), oral steroids, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (to reduce airway inflammation and relax airways), antibiotics (to treat respiratory infections), pain medication, oxygen therapy, lung volume reduction surgery (removal of damaged lung tissue from upper lungs), lung transplant, bullectomy (removal of large air spaces or bullae that form in lungs when walls of airsacs are destroyed), pulmonary rehab and lifestyle changes (i.e., healthy diet, exercise, sleep, hydration and avoiding exposure to irritants), among others.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after using a recalled Philips C-PAP, Bi-PAP or ventilator machine, you may be entitled to compensation from a CPAP COPD lawsuit case or settlement claim. Contact a medical device injury lawyer to request a free case review.
*If you or a loved one are experiencing health issues, side effects or complications from a medical device or healthcare product, we urge you to promptly consult with your doctor or physician for an evaluation.
**The listing of a company (e.g., Koninklijke Philips N.V. or Royal Philips, Philips North America LLC, or Philips RS North America LLC) or product is not meant to state or imply that the company acted illegally or improperly or that the product is unsafe or defective; rather only that an investigation may be, is or was being conducted to determine whether legal rights have been violated.
***The use of any trademarks, tradenames or service marks is solely for product identification and/or informational purposes.
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