You may see them in airports and other public places. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are used on the nearly 300,000 Americans who suffer a cardiac arrest in public every year. Some people are saved, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says many of these devices are malfunctioning and are defective products, according to an article in Consumer Affairs.
According to an FDA advisory panel, there have been at least 68 recalls and reports of more than 28,000 defibrillators failing at a time when they were needed to save a life. While the malfunction reports are mounting, the defibrillator industry says less regulation is needed, not more. Public Citizen’s Dr. Michael Carome, testified before the FDA panel and said that 17 recalls for 100,000 AEDs were Class 1, the most serious recall that can cause serious injury and death.
In a related story, a new study finds there were more cardiac arrests that were treatable with shock in public places than at home.
The law holds the makers, sellers, distributors, and designers of medical devices responsible for dangerous products. If you have been injured by a device that you suspect was defective, you may be able to recover for your injuries under product liability and/or negligence law. The Florida product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have experience handling these cases and can analyze the facts to determine how the product was defective and who, along the chain, may be responsible for your injuries.
