Philips CPAP Recall Lawsuit

Philips has recently recalled 4 million CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), BiLevel PAP (bi-level positive airway pressure), and similar devices containing sound abatement foam liners made from polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR).

This foam can degrade into particles that users can then inhale or ingest and also emit carcinogenic toxic gas chemicals. The devices contain no filter to prevent this inhalation or ingestion of volatile organic compounds including Diethylene glycol, Toluene Diisocyanate, Toluene Diamine, and Phenol Dimethyl Diazine.

Furthermore, high heat or humidity can cause PE-PUR to degrade further. Some users have even reported seeing black debris in their breathing tubes – evidence of foam degradation. These recalled devices are defective products that are unreasonably dangerous, and can potentially lead to serious health conditions including cancer.

If you are using one of the recalled Philips sleep apnea devices, you should consulting with a healthcare provider, preserve your machine for evidence, and contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your claim.

Call 212-268-3222 or contact us online to speak with an experienced product liability lawyer at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm today.

Recalled Philips CPAP ande BiLevel PAP & Ventilator Devices

The recalled Philips products include Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and mechanical ventilator devices manufactured before April 26, 2021.

The recall is related to PE-PUR foam that can degrade into particles which may be inhaled, or produce certain chemical emissions.

The recalls applies to specific, but not all models of Philips' CPAP devices. The recall does not apply to CPAP machines made by other manufacturers.

Philips voluntarily recalled four million of the following CPAP , BiLevel PAP , and mechanical ventilator devices, including approximately 300,000 devices which were distributed to veterans through the VA:

Recalled Philips CPAP ande BiLevel PAP Devices

Continuous Ventilator, Minimum Ventilatory Support, Facility Use

• E30 (under emergency use authorization)

Continuous Ventilator, Non-life Supporting

• C Series (ASV, S/T, AVAPS)
• DreamStation (ASV)
• DreamStation (ST, AVAPS)
• OmniLab Advanced Plus (in-lab titration device)
• SystemOne (ASV4)

Non-continuous Ventilator

• DreamStation (CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP)
• DreamStation GO (CPAP, APAP)
• Dorma 400, 500 (CPAP)
• REMStar SE Auto (CPAP)
• SystemOne (Q series)

Recalled Philips Mechanical Ventilator Devices

Continuous Ventilator

• Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent (Ventilator)
• Trilogy 100 (Ventilator)
• Trilogy 200 (Ventilator)

Continuous Ventilator, Minimum Ventilatory Support, Facility Use

• A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30
• A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto (Ventilator)

Continuous Ventilator, Non-life Supporting

• A-Series BiPAP A40
• A-Series BiPAP A30

How to Determine if Your Defective CPAP Device Is Recalled

If you are using a Philips CPAP device, to check if your device is one of those being recalled find the model and serial number of your device on a sticker affixed to the machine by looking at its bar code or simply typing in the information here: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-w/support-home/find-model-number.html

• Visit philips.com for a list of recalled devices, to get the most recent information, and to register your device to be repaired or replaced.
• If you cannot access the website, call Philips at 1-877-907-7508.

Reported Potential Safety Hazards from Philips CPAP Machines

Philips Apnea devices which were meant to improve people’s breathing are in fact contaminating people's airways. These defective devices listed above were recalled because they have design flaws that make them unreasonably dangerous, and can potentially result in cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, lung injury, and other serious long-term health issues.

According to a recent Philips press release:

These issues can result in serious injury which can be life-threatening, cause permanent impairment, and/or require medical intervention to preclude permanent impairment.

• There are many potential risks of exposure to degraded foam, including irritation (skin, eye and respiratory tract), an inflammatory response, headache, asthma, and adverse effects on the liver, kidneys and lungs.
• Exposure to chemical emissions can result in a variety of health impacts, including headache/dizziness, irritation (eyes, nose, respiratory tract, skin), hypersensitivity coughs, nausea and vomiting. Particulate exposure from PE-PUR degraded foam may also lead to increased cancer risks.

Users of these CPAP devices has also reported symptoms including chest pressure, sore throats, and sinus infections.

Discuss Your Philips CPAP Recall Lawsuit with an Attorney Today

Victims of the recalled sleep apnea devices may be eligible to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning, and pain and suffering. In cases that go to trial, you may also be awarded punitive damages if the court finds Phillips acted in a malicious or a gross negligent manner — such as if Philips knew about the hazards and risks and took no action to fix the issue.

If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective Philips CPAP machine, the experienced product liability lawyers at Raphaelson & Levine can help. Our attorneys have recovered more than $700 Million on behalf of clients throughout New York.

Call 212-236-3222 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://www.aarp.org

https://www.cbsnews.com

https://www.philips.com

https://www.indianapolis.va.gov