Surgical Stapler Lawsuits: What You Need to Know About Health Risks and Litigation

What Are Surgical Staples and Why Are They Used?

Surgical staples are medical devices used to close wounds, incisions, and internal tissues after surgery. They are preferred over traditional sutures in many cases because they can be applied quickly and evenly, reducing procedure time and often leading to better healing outcomes. Major manufacturers like Ethicon (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) and Covidien (owned by Medtronic) dominate the market with their widely used staple products.

However, when these staples are defective, they can cause severe complications, leading to prolonged suffering for patients and, in many cases, legal action against these manufacturers.

What Happens When Surgical Staples Malfunction?

Surgical staples are designed to securely close wounds, but defects in the stapler mechanism or the staples themselves can lead to improper wound closure, internal injuries, and dangerous infections. Some common issues linked to faulty staples include:

– Misfiring or jamming of staplers, which can leave wounds improperly sealed.

– Staples failing to close properly, leading to internal bleeding or leaks.

– Unintended firing of staples, damaging nearby tissue.

– Breakage of staples, which can leave metal fragments inside the body, increasing infection risk.

When staples do not function as intended, patients may require additional surgeries to repair the damage, and in severe cases, complications can lead to life-threatening conditions like sepsis, organ perforation, and peritonitis.

 

 

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    Which Surgical Staples Have Been Recalled or Reported as Defective?

    Ethicon and Covidien/Medtronic have both faced recalls and safety warnings due to malfunctioning surgical staples.

    Ethicon Surgical Stapler Recalls

    In 2019, Ethicon issued a Class I recall (the most serious type) for some of its Endo-Surgery Intraluminal Staplers, used in gastrointestinal surgeries. The FDA found that these devices failed to completely close staples, leading to serious post-surgical complications, including internal bleeding and leaks.

    Covidien/Medtronic Stapler Issues

    Covidien, now under Medtronic, has also faced safety concerns over its surgical staplers. Reports of misfires, malfunctions, and staple line failures have raised red flags, though large-scale recalls comparable to Ethicon’s have not been as widely publicized.

    Both companies' staplers have been linked to severe injuries and, in some cases, fatalities, prompting legal action from affected patients.

    What Injuries and Complications Have Patients Experienced?

    Patients who have undergone surgeries involving defective staplers or staples have reported a wide range of complications, including:

    - Internal bleeding from improperly sealed wounds.

    - Leaks from surgical sites, particularly in gastrointestinal surgeries, leading to severe infections.

    - Sepsis, a potentially fatal response to infection.

    - Organ damage caused by misplaced or misfired staples.

    - Need for corrective surgery, often requiring invasive procedures to fix the damage.

    - In the worst cases, patients have suffered long-term disability, or even death as a result of these malfunctions.

    Are There Lawsuits Against Ethicon and Covidien/Medtronic?

    Yes - hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against Ethicon and Covidien/Medtronic by patients who suffered serious injuries due to defective surgical staples.

    Ethicon Surgical Stapler Lawsuits

    Ethicon has faced multiple lawsuits alleging that their staplers were defective and caused severe injuries. Many of these cases claim that the company knew about the risks but failed to warn doctors and patients.

    One major issue cited in lawsuits is that Ethicon’s recalled staplers had a known risk of misfiring and failing to fully close wounds, yet they were still used in surgeries before the recall.

    Covidien/Medtronic Surgical Stapler Lawsuits

    Covidien/Medtronic has also been the subject of legal claims, with plaintiffs arguing that their staplers were poorly designed or improperly tested before being released to the market. These lawsuits accuse the company of negligence, failure to warn, and even fraud in some cases.

    Many of these lawsuits are seeking compensation for:

    - Medical expenses (including corrective surgeries).

    - Lost wages due to extended recovery times.

    - Pain and suffering from complications caused by defective staples.

    - Wrongful death in cases where stapler malfunctions led to fatal injuries.

    What Should You Do If You’ve Been Affected?

    If you or a loved one has suffered complications from defective Ethicon or Covidien surgical staples, you may be eligible for legal compensation. Many law firms specialize in medical device injury cases and offer free consultations to evaluate potential claims.

    To strengthen your case, it’s essential to:

    - Obtain medical records showing the stapler-related complications.

    - Document your symptoms and treatments with photos and notes.

    - Speak with a medical malpractice or product liability attorney to understand your options.

    While settlements and verdicts vary, past cases involving defective medical devices have resulted in significant compensation for injured patients.

    Surgical staples are meant to aid healing and recovery, but when they malfunction, they can cause devastating injuries. Ethicon and Covidien/Medtronic have both faced scrutiny and legal action over defective surgical staples, raising concerns about the safety of these widely used medical devices.

    If you or someone you know has experienced complications due to faulty staples, seeking legal advice from Selinger Law may be the best course of action. Cases like these have helped hold manufacturers accountable and prevent further harm to patients.

    Are You Eligible for A Surgical Statement Lawsuit Settlement?

    If you you or a loved one underwent a gastric or intestinal surgery with an internal surgical stapler after January 2021, and the stapler misfire caused any of the following, you may be eligible for compensation:

    - Catastrophic bleeding

    - Organ/tissue tearing

    - Anastomotic leak

    - Bowel leakage

    - Colostomy

    - Sepsis or infection

    - Fistula Formation

    - Death following the surgery

    - Hospitalization (2+weeks)

    - Permanent injury

    Selinger Law's team of experienced defective device litigation attorneys can help navigate the complex legal process and maximize potential compensation, guiding you through each step of the legal process. Our goal is to secure compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and any further additional treatments or surgeries you have endured. Contact us today for a free consultation and claim review to discuss your case and explore your options for pursuing justice.