English 
Spanish While people suffering from sleep apnea use a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to help them breathe at night, unfortunately, Philips CPAP machines can negatively affect the lungs. Philips Respironics, the company that produces Philips CPAP machines, has recalled many models because of their potentially dangerous side effects. Alarmingly, CBS Boston reports that Philips may have known about these dangers years before issuing a recall.
If you developed lung or other health problems after using a Philips CPAP machine, you may be entitled to damages for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. If you are interested in legal representation, you can work with a lawyer to help you seek damages. A Philips CPAP mass tort attorney may be able to help you join a lawsuit with other people who were injured by a Philips CPAP machine.
How Can Philips CPAP Affect Your Lungs?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided new information in March 2022 concerning the recall of Philips CPAP machines as well as its BiPAP machines and continuous ventilators. These machines use polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam to dampen vibrations and sounds. Unfortunately, the foam can degrade into particles and release dangerous chemical gases. Hot, humid climates can worsen this problem, as can cleaning the machine with unapproved methods like ozone cleansers or UV lights.
When the foam degrades, the particles and gas can enter the machine’s air tubes. From there, the particles and gases can enter the user’s airway and lungs, leading to serious health problems. Philips CPAP machines can cause permanent lung injuries that may be life-threatening for some people. Here is more information about how Philips CPAP machines affect the lungs:
Foam Particles Cause Injuries
Inhaling or swallowing degraded PE-PUR particles can:
- Irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and respiratory tract
- Trigger an inflammatory response, which may include redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the affected area
- Cause headaches
- Trigger asthma
- Cause cancer in organs, including the liver and kidneys
- Cause other toxic effects on targeted organs, including the liver and kidneys
Chemical Gases Cause Injuries
Inhaling chemicals off-gassed by the PE-PUR foam can:
- Cause headaches and dizziness
- Irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and respiratory tract
- Cause nausea and vomiting
- Trigger hypersensitivity reactions, such as allergic reactions or other immune reactions
- Cause cancer
- Cause other toxic effects
Philips CPAP Machine Users Report Other Injuries
Philips CPAP machine users continue to report new and additional side effects. These reports must be validated before the reported effects can be definitively linked to the CPAP machine. Researchers continue to investigate how Philips CPAP machines may negatively impact users’ health. Other reported side effects include:
- Headache
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Dyspnea or difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Nodules
- Cancer
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Other respiratory infections and problems
Which Philips Machines Were Recalled?
Here are the CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilators made between 2009 and April 26, 2021, that Philips Respironics is recalling:
- A-Series BiPAP A30
- A-Series BiPAP A40 (ventilator)
- A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30
- A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto (ventilator)
- C-Series ASV (ventilator)
- C-Series S/T and AVAPS
- DreamStation
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation Go
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- Dorma 400
- Dorma 500
- E30
- Garbin Plus, Aeris, LifeVent (ventilator)
- OmniLab Advanced+
- REMstar SE Auto
- SystemOne ASV4
- SystemOne (Q-Series)
- Trilogy 100 (ventilator)
- Trilogy 200 (ventilator)
What Should I Do if I Use a Philips CPAP Machine?
If you use a Philips CPAP machine and experience any of the symptoms listed above, reach out to your doctor or another healthcare provider as soon as you can. They can give you medical advice tailored to your specific health concerns. Your doctor may suggest that you stop using the machine. You may be able to try alternative approaches such as positional therapy, oral appliances, or surgery.
For some people, the risk of ceasing to use the CPAP machine is greater than the risks that come with using it. Your doctor may advise you to continue using your machine until you can repair or replace it. They may also suggest you use a different CPAP machine that was not recalled.
How Much Is My Philips CPAP Machine Case Worth?
Every case is different, so we cannot say how much your case is worth without evaluating the details of your injuries, medical history, and use of a Philips CPAP machine. After reviewing your case and gathering evidence of your injuries, our Philips CPAP mass tort lawyer will estimate how much your case is worth. You may be able to recover:
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate you for tangible losses your injuries directly caused. You may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses such as appointments with your general practitioner or specialist to diagnose and treat your injuries, diagnostic imaging, bloodwork or other testing, surgeries, chemotherapy, prescription medication, and more
- Future medical expenses if you will require follow-up appointments, ongoing treatment, or other future medical care because of your injuries
- Loss of income if you must take unpaid time off work for your treatment and recovery
- Future loss of income if you must permanently leave the workforce because of your injuries
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses your injuries caused. While it may seem challenging to put a price tag on your pain and suffering, our lawyers have experience attaching a dollar value to intangible losses. You may be entitled to damages for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Reduced quality of life
Can I Afford a Lawyer to Represent Me in a Philips CPAP Machine Case?
No matter what your financial situation is, you can afford a lawyer. Our lawyers work on contingency, which means our fees come from your settlement or jury award. In other words, we get paid only when you do. You pay no fees out of pocket or up front.
Because we work on contingency, we carefully evaluate each case before choosing which to pursue. We only select those cases that have a strong chance of success.
Client Testimonials for KJT Law Group
At KJT Law, we help people just like you who have been harmed because of another party’s negligent behavior. Our lawyers work tirelessly to hold companies like Philips Respironics accountable for their actions. We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for victims of personal injury. Here are some of our positive client testimonials:
- Leanna G: “The attorneys at KJT Law Group are very knowledgeable, persistent and amazingly driven. I’m very happy that I chose them to represent me.”
- Aren B.: “These guys know their stuff. I was at a dead end with a complex legal matter until I had a consultation with this firm. My case settled for more than I ever expected! I would definitely recommend their services!!!”
- Rosalilia M.: “Professional, pleasant, and true advocacy all the way. They really helped me and supported my claim. I highly recommend to everyone.”
Legal Deadlines in a Philips CPAP Case
California limits how much time you have to seek damages from Philips Respironics if you sustained injuries from a Philips CPAP machine. CCP § 335.1 establishes the statute of limitations for personal injury from a defective medical device at two years. The clock may start on the date you were injured or the date you became aware of your injuries. Once the statute of limitations ends, you cannot sue Philips Respironics.
Our lawyer for Philips CPAP mass tort can review your case, listen to your story, and establish a timeline for your injuries. We can determine when the statute of limitations ends for your situation and help you file your lawsuit before time runs out.
KJT Law Group Can Represent You in a Philips CPAP Case
If you develop cancer or other health problems after using a Philips CPAP machine, you may be able to recover damages for your medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Our Philips CPAP Lawsuit attorney with KJT Law Group may be able to help, so call our office at (818)507-8525 for a free case consultation. We can advise you on your legal options and help you hold Philips Respironics accountable for your injuries.
