Medical devices are meant to save lives, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life. But when a device is poorly designed, manufactured incorrectly, or released to the public without proper testing, the consequences can be catastrophic. Patients may suffer painful complications, need revision surgeries, or develop lasting injuries that are far worse than the condition the device was meant to treat.
At Friedman Law Offices, we help Nebraskans harmed by defective medical devices pursue justice. From our office in Lincoln, we represent clients throughout the state in complex medical device cases. If you suspect a medical device has failed or caused a new injury, our team is here to help.
Why Medical Device Failure Claims Are So Complex
Defective medical device cases are some of the most challenging product liability claims. They often involve:
- Reviewing thousands of pages of medical records
- Analyzing device performance data
- Understanding FDA approvals, warnings, and recalls
- Working with biomedical engineers and medical experts
- Investigating whether a manufacturer concealed risks
- Examining surgical procedures and how the device was intended to function
Because of the technical nature of these cases, you need a team with the experience, resources, and commitment to take on major medical device manufacturers. Friedman Law Offices has handled serious injury cases for Nebraska residents for decades, and we understand what it takes to build a strong medical device claim.
Common Types of Defective Medical Devices
Medical device failures can occur across many types of products. We represent people injured by defective devices such as:
Hip, Knee, and Joint Implants
- Metal-on-metal implants causing metallosis
- Components wearing down prematurely
- Devices loosening or breaking
- Painful revision surgeries
- Tissue and bone damage
Pacemakers and Cardiac Devices
- Battery failures
- Electrical malfunctions
- Lead wire migrations
- Improper pacing or device shutdown
- Life-threatening cardiac complications
Surgical Mesh
- Mesh erosion or migration
- Organ perforation
- Chronic infection or inflammation
- Severe pain requiring corrective surgery
Catheters and Surgical Tools
- Broken or fractured components
- Sterilization issues causing infection
- Materials degrading inside the body
Insulin Pumps and Infusion Devices
- Software failures
- Over-delivery or under-delivery of medication
- Communication errors with monitors
- Malfunctions leading to hospitalization
Spinal Implants and Bone Fixation Devices
- Breakage or hardware failures
- Device migration
- Nerve damage
- Chronic pain or mobility loss
Breast Implants
- Ruptures
- Silicone leakage
- Associated immune or systemic complications
If you’re unsure whether your device might be defective, or you’ve had unexpected medical complications, we can investigate the cause.
Signs a Medical Device May Be Malfunctioning
Many patients don’t immediately realize a device failure is responsible for their symptoms. Warning signs may include:
- New or worsening pain
- Mobility problems
- Swelling, redness, or infection
- Electrical shocks or irregular heart rhythms (for cardiac devices)
- Device recalls you weren’t informed about
- Implant loosening or shifting
- Unexpected diagnostic findings
- Need for unplanned revision surgery
If any of these apply, you should speak with your healthcare provider and then contact our team to review your legal options.
Where Lincoln Patients Often Receive Implants and Follow-Up Care
Many Nebraskans receive medical devices or undergo revision surgeries at:
- Bryan Medical Center (East and West Campuses)
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth
- Nebraska Heart Hospital (for cardiac devices)
- Nebraska Orthopaedic Center (joint implant procedures)
These facilities often generate the imaging, surgical records, and diagnostic notes that form the backbone of a medical device claim. We can help you obtain these documents and evaluate whether the device showed signs of failure.
Lincoln Rehabilitation Resources
For long-term complications, patients commonly rely on:
- Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital
- Local physical therapy clinics
- Nebraska pain management specialists
These services often help document the severity of ongoing device-related injuries.
Types of Medical Device Defects
Medical device claims typically fall into one or more of the following categories:
Design Defects
The device’s blueprint is inherently unsafe before it is ever manufactured. Even when built correctly, the device poses unreasonable risks to patients.
Manufacturing Defects
A problem during production or assembly creates a dangerous flaw, contaminant, or structural weakness in the device.
Failure to Warn / Marketing Defects
Manufacturers may fail to:
- Disclose known complications
- Provide proper instructions
- Offer adequate warnings to physicians
- Update labels after discovering new risks
Some companies even delay or avoid issuing recalls, putting patients in danger to protect their bottom line.
Who May Be Liable for a Defective Medical Device?
Depending on the device and injury, one or more of the following may be responsible:
- Manufacturers: The companies that designed and produced the device
- Component Suppliers: Companies that made parts within the device
- Distributors: Middlemen involved in delivering the device
- Sales and Marketing Groups: Organizations that misrepresented benefits or minimized risks
- Testing Laboratories: Third parties involved in safety or quality checks
Our team investigates every party involved to ensure all potential sources of liability are identified.
What to Do if You Suspect a Defective Medical Device Caused Your Injury
If you believe your device is malfunctioning or causing harm:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Your health comes first. Your doctor can evaluate whether the device is failing.
- Keep all medical records and device information. Save implant cards, device packaging (if available), and surgical reports.
- Request imaging or diagnostics. X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasounds can show whether the device is shifting, breaking, or failing.
- Do not discard or return the device. If removed during surgery, ask your provider to preserve it if possible.
- Do not speak to the device manufacturer. They may attempt to minimize their responsibility.
- Contact a defective medical device lawyer. The sooner we begin investigating, the better the chance of preserving critical evidence.
Compensation for Defective Medical Device Injuries
Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Hospitalization and surgical costs
- Revision surgeries
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages (for qualifying family members)
We evaluate both immediate and long-term consequences to pursue full compensation.
Why Nebraskans Trust Friedman Law Offices
Friedman Law Offices has represented injured Nebraskans since 1962. Patients harmed by defective medical devices choose us because:
- We are rooted in Lincoln and serve clients statewide. Whether you’re in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, or a rural community, we are here for you.
- We have decades of experience handling complex injury cases. Medical device claims require advanced legal and medical understanding.
- We collaborate with leading medical experts. Engineers, surgeons, and biomedical professionals help strengthen your case.
- We provide personal attention and honest guidance. You will never feel like a case number.
- We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
- We maintain an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell®. This reflects high professional standing among other lawyers and judges (not a guarantee of future results).
Speak With a Nebraska Defective Medical Device Lawyer Today
If a medical device has failed, malfunctioned, or caused serious health complications, you deserve answers.
Contact Friedman Law Offices for a free consultation. We’ll review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you seek justice against the device manufacturer responsible for your injuries.
You don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to fight for you.