Philips CPAP breathing machines were recalled due to defective foam sealants around the masks that were breaking down and causing illness. Concerned consumers began filing product liability lawsuits after developing cancer, respiratory issues, and other serious side effects. As a consumer, you have a right to know when the products you rely on everyday contain carcinogens. The failure of Philips Respironics to immediately alert consumers to the carcinogens in their defective CPAP products constitutes a breach of duty to the consumer. 

If you have developed cancer or experienced other serious side effects that you believe are related to the degradation of your CPAP mask’s foam, you may be entitled to compensation. The product liability attorneys of Osborne & Francis have been on the front lines of this fight. You can reach us at (561) 293-2600 or contact our Orlando or Boca Raton offices online to schedule a free consultation with our team.

Dizziness May Be Related to Toxins in CPAP Foam 

Defective CPAP machines have been known to cause a variety of side effects after prolonged use. While dizziness may seem rather innocuous in comparison to the other side effects listed here, a dizzy spell while driving or going down a flight of stairs could easily result in a catastrophic injury to you or someone else. Unexplained dizziness can be attributed to a number of conditions, but if you experience it in conjunction with other symptoms after using a Philips CPAP breathing machine for your sleep apnea, you should consult a medical provider to be safe.

Chronic Headaches Are a Potential Symptom of CPAP-Related Illness

Most of us get headaches from time to time, but chronic headaches are often an indication that there is something more serious going on. Chronic headaches by definition occur at least 15 days out of the month for more than 3 months. The pain may interfere with your ability to work, enjoy your life, and care for your family.

Kidney and Liver Damage Connected to Defective CPAP Machines

The kidneys and the liver are largely responsible for cleaning the waste and toxins out of your blood. When these critical organs are damaged by the toxins in a disintegrated sleeping mask, the harm caused may be irreparable. In extreme cases, a liver or kidney transplant may be necessary. That can mean substantial time on a registry list and the possibility of undergoing invasive surgery with a risk of rejecting the transplant. 

Respiratory Infections Are a Common Side Effect

A respiratory infection occurs when bacteria makes its way into the sinuses, throat, lungs, or another part of the respiratory system. While respiratory infections can often be resolved with medication, serious infections can land you in the hospital. Your average respiratory infection may cause you to miss work to attend appointments and cost you money in terms of medical treatment.

Sinus Congestion and Infections May Stem From Defective CPAP

Sinus infections refer to inflammation around the nasal cavities. Like other forms of respiratory infections, they often benefit from antibiotics, although over-the-counter medications are typically sufficient. In the case of defective CPAP machines, the bacteria that has grown along the disintegrating part of the mask infects the person’s sinuses as they breathe in the air throughout the night.

Chemicals in Defective CPAP Machines Can Cause Cancer

Various forms of cancer, including prostate, bladder, brain, breast, kidney, and liver cancer, have been tied to the use of Philips CPAP machines. At its most basic level, cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells then push out healthy cells, so the body is unable to perform its typical functions. When the foam on the CPAP masks broke down, it created a toxic chemical that instigated this abnormal cell growth in CPAP users. 

Hypersensitivity and Allergic Reactions to Toxic CPAP Foam

The breakdown of the polyester-based polyurethane foam in the CPAP masks has been known to trigger allergic reactions in some users. This occurs when the body’s immune system perceives a threat but delivers a disproportionate response to the allergen. The severity of the reaction can vary based on the person’s sensitivity and the amount absorbed. This risk is noted by the FDA, who called out Philips for their knowledge of the issues with their CPAP machines prior to the recall they issued.

Some Users Develop Asthma From Defective CPAP Machines

Asthma is a common condition that impacts the lungs. People with asthma may have uncontrollable coughing fits, experience chest tightness, and have difficulty breathing. For most people, this condition can be managed safely. However, this is not an ideal condition to develop if you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing while sleeping, hence the need for a machine that pushes air into your lungs for you. 

Chest Pressure Associated With CPAP Usage

While chest pain is most often associated with heart attacks, plaintiffs in the CPAP machine lawsuits have also reported chest pressure as a result of their use of this defective product. This is noted as one of the warning symptoms that the CPAP machine may be releasing harmful chemicals into the air as the noise-dampening foam disintegrates. 

What to Do if Your CPAP Machine is Causing Serious Side Effects

The priority should be your health, first and foremost. You should see a medical provider as soon as possible if you begin experiencing side effects related to your CPAP machine. This also protects you from attempts by the insurance company to claim that you are exaggerating your illness or didn’t seek the proper treatment.

In addition to getting the medical attention you need, you should do your best to document your symptoms and keep copies of your medical record. Hold on to your defective machine, as it could prove to be critical evidence later on.

The next step is to begin researching reputable personal injury lawyers who have handled similar types of mass tort product liability claims. They will be able to help you get the ball rolling on filing a personal injury claim so that you can recover the value of your damages.

Why Should I Hire Osborne & Francis to Represent Me?

Successful companies like Philips will certainly have a skilled legal team representing their interests, and so should you. When you choose a personal injury lawyer to represent you, you are effectively entrusting them with your family’s finances and your peace of mind, so it is important to choose wisely.

The product liability attorneys of Osborne & Francis have spent the better part of a decade proving our value by taking on complex claims dealing with catastrophic injuries, with great success. Not only do we consistently secure fair settlements for our clients, but we also treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve throughout the claims process. You can trust the product liability attorneys of Osborne & Francis to be thorough and aggressive when pursuing compensation on your behalf.

Contact Osborne & Francis ASAP to Schedule a Free Case Review

Hiring a defective product attorney to negotiate your claim is one of the best ways to protect yourself from being shortchanged by an insurance company. At Osborne & Francis, we won’t let you be pushed around by an insurance company looking to protect its profits.

If you have developed serious side effects associated with the use of defective CPAP breathing machines, you should consider pursuing legal action to recover the cost of your damages. The product liability attorneys of Osborne & Francis are prepared to help you with this effort, even if that means we need to take your claim to trial. 

Reach out to us at (561) 293-2600 or contact our Orlando or Boca Raton offices online to schedule a free consultation with one of our accomplished product liability attorneys. We look forward to speaking with you and assessing your claim.