Why Were Philips CPAP Machines Recalled?
Philips CPAP, BiPaP and Ventilator Recall Lawsuits
If you used the recalled Philips Respironics CPAP, BiPaP, or ventilators and are dealing with medical problems now, you may be able to file a lawsuit for your injuries. There are currently thousands of people across the country who’ve reported complaints to the FDA.
Philips recalled millions of CPAP and BiPAP sleep apnea machines in June 2021 because the foam used for soundproofing can break down, become toxic, and cause severe injuries from potentially cancer-causing chemicals when inhaled or swallowed.
The FDA issued a Class 1 recall for Philips CPAP machines, which the FDA defines as having “a reasonable probability that the use or exposure…will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.”
In January 2024 Philips completely stopped selling CPAP and BiPAP sleep apnea machines in the United States.
Lawsuits against Philips allege that the company knew about the problems with foam decay for years but did nothing to warn consumers about it.
What is Wrong with the Foam in Philips CPAPs?
The foam used for soundproofing inside these CPAP machines is made of a polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) that can break over time.
Users have inhaled the tiny pieces of defective foam and toxic gasses causing severe reactions. The particles and the gas can cause breathing problems, asthma, irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin, and even cause cancer and death.
The FDA has received reports of 561 deaths from Philips CPAPs and 116,000 reports of injuries like cancer, infection, asthma and other related respiratory diagnoses.
Is There a Class Action Lawsuit Against Philips CPAP for Injury or Death?
There are currently two types of lawsuits against Philips Respironics over their recalled sleep apnea machines: Class action and Multi-District Litigation or MDL. Both of these lawsuits combine large groups of plaintiffs together to move the case forward more efficiently, but that is where the similaries end.
Class Action Settlement for Economic Damages and Reimbursement
There is also a Philips CPAP class action lawsuit for economic damages. This settlement only reimburses people for the cost of buying or renting a Philips CPAP machine. You can fill out a claim for compensation of these costs on this website: https://www.respironicscpap-elsettlement.com/
Federal MDL Lawsuit for Recalled Philips CPAPS
In 2021 a judicial panel set up a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the Philips CPAP recall. An MDL is similar to a class action lawsuit because it addresses cases are grouped together in a single federal court. Cases involving injuries from the recalled Philips CPaP machines are filed in the MDL.
Do I Qualify for a Philips CPAP Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Our attorneys are investigating injuries experienced by people across the county after using the Phiips Respironics machines. Some of the key elements our attorneys look for include:
- Use of one of the the recalled Philips CPAP, BiPaP, or ventilators;
- Use of the recalled machine for at least 1 year;
- Diagnosis of an injury related to use of the recalled breathing machines.
What are the Health Risks From Using Recalled Philips CPAP, BiPap and Ventilators?
- Inhaling of Toxic and Cancer-Causing Chemicals:
- Users could end up inhaling or ingesting toxic particles and chemicals from the breakdown of the PE-PUR soundproofing foam.
- Some of these chemicals can cause cancer.
- Respiratory Issues:
- Users have reported different types of breathing problems from inhaling foam particles.
- These issues include coughing, asthma, and other respiratory tract irritation symptoms, which can be even more harmful to people with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
- Chemical Exposure Symptoms:
- Exposure to the chemicals released by the degraded foam can cause headaches, dizziness, eye, nose and respiratory tract irritation, hypersensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.
- Over time, these exposures could lead to more severe health problems.
- Organ Damage:
- There is concern that long-term exposure to chemicals released by the foam could lead to organ damage of the liver and kidneys.
Reported Reactions to the Recalled Philips Breathing Machines
Patients and users of the recalled Philips Respironics machines have reported a range of reactions, including:
- Death
- Cancer
- Liver Damage
- Kidney Damage
- Organ Failure
- Airway irritation and inflammation
- Asthma attacks
- Inflammatory response
- Persistent coughing
- Constant shortness of breath
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Eye irritation
- Sinus infection
- Upper airway irritation
- Chest pressure
Which Philips CPAP Models Are Recalled?
The recall includes breathing machines sold between 2009 and 2021, mostly from the Philips DreamStation line. Below is a list of each recalled device meant for personal use and sold in the United States. We encourage you to contact medical product liability attorneys at mctlaw right away if you used one of these machines:
- A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto (ventilator)
- C-Series ASV (ventilator)
- C-Series S/T and AVAPS
- DreamStation
- DreamStation ASV
- DreamStation Go
- DreamStation ST, AVAPS
- REMstar SE Auto
- SystemOne ASV4
- SystemOne (Q-Series)
- Trilogy 100 (ventilator)
- Trilogy 200 (ventilator)
Contact us if you’ve had any medical complications from the Phillips breathing devices
What to do if you used the recalled Philips CPAP machines
The first thing to do is contact your doctor right away. They will help you find another CPAP system or different treatment for sleep apnea. You may be able to keep using the Philips breathing machine if you get it repaired or replaced through the manufacturer.
FDA Issues a Class 1 Recall of Philips Respironics CPAP, BiPAP and Ventilators
On June 14, 2021 the FDA issued a Class I recall for millions of Philips Respironics CPAPs, BiPAPs, and Ventilators. A Class 1 recall is a very big deal because it means the FDA believes the Philips CPAP machines can cause serious medical injuries and even death. It is the most serious response the FDA can issue.
WARNING: Stop using recalled Philips CPAP, BiPAP, and ventilators immediately.
Read the updated FDA Class 1 Recall of the Phillips device here
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Content Reviewed by Michele Stephan – Medical Product Liability Lawyer
Michele Stephan handles defective medical device cases in state and federal courts throughout the country. Ms. Stephan has represented clients in civil litigation for over 20 years. At mctlaw she litigates cases for clients with defective Pinnacle metal on metal hip replacements and failing Biomet metal on metal hip implants. Ms. Stephan has represented clients in civil litigation for over 20 years. Stephan is a member of the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Pro Bono Committee and the Sarasota County Bar Association Programs Committee.
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