Earlier this year, the FDA released a statement announcing that they had linked 49 deaths to the Abiomed Impella heart pump and subsequently issued a recall of the device. The recall was prompted by safety concerns regarding the heart pump’s potential risks due to inadequate instructions. In the wake of the recall, there have been lawsuits filed against Abiomed from various families that have lost their loved ones, alleging that the comsoutpany’s heart pump was responsible for these fatalities and other serious injuries. This lawsuit marks the beginning of various individual claims, as more patients and their families seek legal recourse for the harm caused by the Impella heart pump.
At The Lovely Law Firm, our team is closely monitoring the ongoing Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuits to gauge how the courts will address the company’s potential negligence and liability for damages, including emotional pain and suffering. We are particularly focused on how these judicial decisions will impact financial reparations for medical bills, lost wages, and the emotional and physical suffering caused by the Abiomed Impella heart pumps. However, it’s important to note that the outcome of one Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuit does not mean the rest will have the same outcome. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or wrongfully killed due to this device, please reach out to our firm for support. A lawyer for Abiomed Impella heart pumps will review your case and present your options because we are committed to advocating for those affected by faulty medical equipment and understand the profound impact such trauma can have.
What is An Abiomed Impella Heart Pump?
The Abiomed Impella heart pump is a medical device that was designed to provide short-term support to the heart’s ventricles during high-risk medical procedures, including percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). A PCI is performed to treat coronary artery disease by unblocking or widening narrowed arteries that travel to the heart.
Specifically, the Impella heart pump is used when a patient experiences ongoing cardiogenic shock, which typically happens within 48 hours after a severe heart attack (acute myocardial infarction), open-heart surgery, or due to a condition called cardiomyopathy, which is when the heart struggles to function properly. The primary goal of using the Abiomed Impella heart pump is to reduce the workload on the heart’s ventricles and support the circulatory system, which allows the heart some time to recover.
Why Was The Abiomed Impella Heart Pump Recalled?
The Abiomed Impella heart pump recall is classified as a Class 1 recall by the FDA, and was initiated on June 14, 2023. This classification is only issued to the most serious types of recalls, as it involves medical devices that can cause significant injuries or death. The recall was made aware to the FDA due to reports of Abiomed Impella heart pumps causing 129 serious injuries, including 49 deaths. After further investigation, all of these injuries and deaths were linked to the use of various models of the Impella heart pump. Over 7,895 units of the various models of the Impella heart pump device, distributed from May 1, 2021, to the present day, are affected by this recall.
The FDA’s decision to recall the Impella heart pump was primarily due to concerns that the pump catheter has the ability to puncture the wall of the left ventricle in the heart during surgical procedures. This complication that was uncovered poses a significant risk of severe health consequences, including:
- Left ventricle perforation or free wall rupture
- Hypertension
- Reduced blood flow
- Death
The affected Impella heart pump devices include various models, including:
- Impella 2.5
- Impella CP
- Impella CP with SmartAssist
- Impella 5.0
- Impella 5.5 with SmartAssist
- Impella LD
Who Can File an Abiomed Impella Heart Pump Lawsuit in South Carolina?
Individuals who have been severely injured or families of those who have passed away due to the Abiomed Impella heart pump malfunctioning may be eligible to file an Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuit. This includes seeking compensation for various damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Death of a loved one
- Any other applicable damages
A knowledgeable Abiomed Impella heart pump attorney at our firm can assess the details of your case to determine if you meet the criteria for legal action.
Eligibility for an Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuit generally includes situations where:
- An individual went through a heart valve replacement surgery during which the Impella heart pump failed or became damaged, resulting in serious injury such as brain damage due to lack of blood flow, or in cases where the patient died.
- Individuals who had to have surgery during a heart attack or cardiogenic shock that involved the use of a temporary Impella heart pump might also be eligible.
Wrongful death claims for the Impella heart pump that are based on product liability must demonstrate that the heart pump was dangerous due to a defect, whether the defect was caused by a manufacturing issue, design flaw, or insufficient or wrong instructions that lacked necessary warnings. The claim must also establish that this defect in the Impella heart pump directly caused the patient’s death.
If you or a loved one has been injured or passed away after a procedure involving any of the aforementioned models of the Impella heart pump, don’t hesitate to reach out to a lawyer for the Abiomed Impella heart pump at The Lovely Law Firm.
What Kinds of Compensation Can Eligible Parties Claim in a South Carolina Abiomed Impella Heart Pump Lawsuit?
In current Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuits, several types of compensation have been claimed by victims. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or death due to an Impella heart pump injury, a lawyer for Abiomed Impella heart pump may be able to help you obtain financial assistance for various losses you have experienced. Compensation can cover various aspects including:
- Medical Expenses – Victims of injuries or death caused by the Impella heart pump can claim compensation that will cover their hospital bills, surgeries, medications, therapy, and other medical costs that resulted from the heart pump malfunction.
- Lost Wages – If you missed work while recovering from your injuries that were caused by the Impella heart pump, a lawsuit can help to recover these losses. Future loss of income may also be covered.
- Pain and Suffering – Compensation can be claimed for the excruciating pain associated with the malfunctioning Impella products and the challenges of corrective surgery, especially when they pierce the heart wall.
- Emotional Distress – Requesting compensation for emotional distress can compensate victims for the anxiety, trauma, and emotional distress caused by an Impella heart pump injury or the resulting death of a loved one.
- Wrongful Death Costs – Families who have lost a loved one due to the Abiomed Impella heart pump issues, they have the ability to claim compensation for wrongful death. Wrongful death compensation can cover funeral expenses, loss of household income, and other financial hardships.
Each Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuit is unique, and a qualified Abiomed Impella heart pump lawyer at The Lovely Law Firm can help determine the compensation you are rightfully owed.
How Do I File an Abiomed Impella Heart Pump Lawsuit in South Carolina?
- Consult with an Experienced Lawyer For Abiomed Impella Heart Pump Lawsuit – Begin by consulting one of our knowledgeable lawyers at The Lovely Law firm, who specializes in defective medical device cases.
- Provide Medical History and Documentation – You will need to provide our team with detailed information and documentation of your or your loved one’s medical history, including the timeline of relevant events before and after the Impella heart pump injury. If death was caused by the heart pump, then proof of that will need to be achieved as well.
- Document Gathering – Our team at The Lovely Law Firm will assist you in gathering all necessary documents to thoroughly review your case.
- Case Evaluation – We will review all your gathered documents to determine if you have a viable case and assess the best approach for filing a lawsuit. Our case consultations are free, so you do not have to pay a fee for us to review your case.
- Filing the Claim – If we determine that your case is viable for an Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuit, we will file the claim on your behalf and guide you through every step of the legal process.
- Proving Liability – The compensation you may receive when filing an winning an Abiomed Impella heart pump lawsuit or settlement will ultimately depend on the type and severity of the injuries sustained. Proving that a medical device was defective and caused injury or death is a complex process. We must also demonstrate that the manufacturer was negligent in ensuring patient safety when distributing the faulty device.
Contact an Abiomed Impella Heart Pump Lawyer Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Retaining a lawyer from our team will help with the lawsuit filing process and subsequent legal procedures. Our experienced team is familiar with defective medical device cases and works hard to build a strong case for each of our clients. With our team of Abiomed Impella heart pumps lawyers by your side, we will work diligently to prove liability in and out of court, negotiate settlements on your behalf, and always keep your best interests in mind. Don’t hesitate to contact us today for a free case evaluation.
What Our Clients Have to Say about The Lovely Law Firm on Google
I can’t say enough good things about the lovely law firm. EVERYONE has been phenomenal and so genuine. Ms Lindsey, the paralegal assigned to my case, as well as her team would randomly check in on me and ask how not just I’m doing but also how my family is doing during this time. They take serving their clients to a new level and I would recommend them to anyone! You are MORE than a number or just a case at this law firm and it shows. Very satisfied this far!
Ivan Kutz
August, 2024
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