While Philips is known as a trusted name in medical equipment, some of their CPAP machines have been the subject of a recent recall. If you or a loved one has experienced health problems after using a Philips CPAP machine, you may be wondering if you are eligible to file a Philips CPAP recall lawsuit. There have been reports of respiratory irritation, cancers, and even an increased risk of death due to the CPAP machines by Philips. Below is everything you need to know about the Philips CPAP Recall Lawsuit.
What is a CPAP Machine?
For starters, it’s important to know what a CPAP machine is and does. A CPAP machine, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, is most commonly used to treat sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. This can happen multiple times throughout the night and cause loud snoring. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke.
While there are different types of sleep apnea, the most common is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the muscles in the throat relax and block the airway. This is where a CPAP machine comes in. A CPAP machine increases air pressure in the throat so that the airway does not collapse when the muscles relax.
CPAP machines have been shown to be an effective treatment for sleep apnea. However, there have been reports of serious health problems associated with the use of Philips CPAP machines.
What Happened?
There have been reports and studies of people who have used Philips CPAP machines and have developed serious respiratory problems, cancers, and poor outcomes for their sleep apnea. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received over 70,000 reports of these health problems, and is now issuing a warning for people using these machines.
It is believed that these health problems are caused by the polyurethane foam found in CPAP machines. The foam is used as sound abatement to help reduce noise and rattling while the machine is in use. While it sounds like an effective solution, it sadly is not.
What’s Bad About the Polyurethane Foam?
The polyurethane foam used in the Philips CPAP machines contains a chemical called TDI. This chemical has been linked to serious respiratory problems and cancers in animal studies. It is also a known irritant, which means that it can cause inflammation of the airways. This can lead to difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing, according to the FDA.
How does the foam affect people? Well, when the machines overheat or are cleaned improperly using ozone, the foam can release harmful chemicals into the tubing as it deteriorates. These chemicals are then breathed in by the person using the machine, which can lead to serious health problems.
What Are the Health Problems Linked to Using these Machines?
There have been reports of people developing cancers like lung cancer, kidney and liver issues after using Philips CPAP machines. There are other problems outlined in the FDA’s warning, including
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Respiratory irritation
- Skin irritation
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
If you or a loved one has developed any of these problems after using a Philips CPAP machine, you may be eligible to file a Philips CPAP recall lawsuit. There are now hundreds of people involved in the lawsuit, while others continue to wait for their replacement machines. In the meantime, it’s important to speak with a lawyer to see if you have a case.
You may be wondering, “What can I get from filing a lawsuit?” By filing a Philips CPAP recall lawsuit, you could receive compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and more. If you’ve lost a loved one due to their use of a Philips CPAP machine, you might also be able to get help from a lawyer.
