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Defective Medical Products

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Defective Medical Products

The following information is provided by Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. & Associates, a premier personal injury law firm with decades of collective experience and a reputation for success. We are representing people who have been injured by defective medical products and the families of people whose deaths are associated with defective products. To contact the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.

Fleet Lawsuit Involving Acute Phosphate Nephropathy
Our law firm is representing a number of clients who have suffered Fleet renal failure (Fleet Phospho-soda kidney failure) after the use of certain Fleet phospo-soda products. C.B. Fleet Company has recently announced a Fleet Phospho-soda recall involving their over-the-counter products Fleet® Phospho-soda® and Fleet® Phospho-soda® EZ-Prep® Bowel Cleansing System. Read more: Fleet recall, Fleet kidney failure, Fleet laxative lawsuit, Fleet Phospho-soda lawsuit.

Hydroxycut Recall
Pritzker Olsen attorneys are currently investigating cases of liver damage to dieters and body builders who have used Hydroxycut, a widely sold nutritional supplement. Read about a Hydroxycut lawsuit.

We are representing clients injured by defective Medtronic defibrillator leads. Two of our clients were shocked over twenty times before medical professionals were able to turn off the defibrillator. Contact us regarding these Medtronic recall cases involving the Sprint Fidelis brand Medtronic defibrillator lead recall. Learn more about a Medtronic lawsuit.

We are investigating cases of fentanyl death. Actavis Inc. has announced that its subsidiary Actavis South Atlantic LLC is proceeding with the voluntarily recall from wholesalers and pharmacies of all lots of Fentanyl transdermal system CII patches sold in the United States. Fentanyl patches are dangerous, and anyone coming in contact with the Fentanyl gel within the patch is at risk for serious adverse events, including respiratory depression and possible overdose, which may cause death. Learn more about the fentanyl recall and a fentanyl lawsuit.

kidneys We are representing a number of clients who have suffered phosphate nephropathy (kidney failure) after the use of certain Fleet products. In May 2006, the FDA warned health care professionals and patients that a rare but serious form of kidney failure (acute phosphate nephropathy) had been associated with the use of oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products (e.g., Fleet Phospho-soda solution, Fleet Accu-Prep solution, and Visicol tablets) for bowel cleansing. Learn about the Fleet and phosphate nephropathy and fill our our Fleet lawsuit questionaire.

When is a Medical Device Defective?

A medical device may be considered defective because of a manufacturing or design defect. In addition to design and manufacturing defects, insufficient warning of consumers as to possible side effects can also serve as the basis of litigation. Quite often there is some risk or side effect involved in the use of a medical device. The law states that manufacturers must alert consumers to the possible problems and side effects their medical devices can cause.

Consumers have a right to know and understand the risks they are undertaking when deciding whether or not to use a particular medical device. Manufacturers who fail to alert consumers to a risk, or who hide that risk, can be held liable for your suffering. In addition, distributors and re-sellers of defective products can, at times, also be held liable.

Thousands of people receive injuries from poorly designed medical devices each year. Those injuries deserve compensation. Successful litigation against medical device manufacturers requires a tremendous amount of legal, as well as scientific strategizing.

Damages in a Medical Device or Product Lawsuit

Damages are generally governed by state law, although bills to limit damages in medical malpractice and medical device cases are almost constantly winding their way through the federal legislative process. Most states already put some limits on damages in medical malpractice cases. Depending on the state where the injury occurred, the following damages may be allowable:

Economic damages: Compensation for monetary losses such as past and future medical expenses, loss of past and future earnings, loss of employment or business opportunities.
Non-economic damages: Compensation for subjective, non-monetary losses such as pain, suffering, inconvenience, emotional distress, loss of society and companionship, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages: Damages awarded for the purpose of punishing a party for intentional or reckless behavior or actions motivated by malice.

FDA Recalls of Dangerous and Defective Medical Devices and Prescription Medications (Drugs)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls dangerous and defective medical devices and drugs and in an effort to protect the public. Recalled products that are the subject of Class I recalls have the potential to cause terrible injuries, significant pain and even death. Recent Class I recalls and other significant recalls and notices include the following:

Fentanyl Lawsuit
We are representing We represent families of loved ones killed by the Fentanyl Pain Patch. These Fentanyl pain patch medication delivery systems are manufactured by a number of companies including Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, Alza Corporation, PriCara, Mylan, Actavis, Watson and a Johnson & Johnson generic brand called Sandoz.

PoliGrip Lawsuit
A recent PoliGrip lawsuit involved a two men who had been diagnosed with neurological problems including myelopathy and neuropathy.

Fixodent Lawsuit
Lawsuits continue to be filed against Proctor & Gamble, manufacturer of Fixodent, on behalf of people who used Fixodent to secure their dentures and then tested positive for zinc poisoning.

Denture Cream Lawsuit
Several lawsuits have been filed alleging denture cream caused zinc poisoning in denture wearers. The denture cream lawsuits involve Fixodent, a Proctor & Gamble product, and PoliGrip, a GlaxoSmithKline product.

Zicam Lawsuit
Since the introduction of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel to the market in 1999, FDA has received more than 130 reports of anosmia associated with the use of Zicam zinc-containing intranasal products.

Clarcon Lawsuit
FDA has warned consumers not to use Clarcon products. For more information, please see the following: CitruShield lawsuit, Dermassentials DermaBarrier lawsuit, Dermassentials lawsuit, Iron Fist lawsuit, Skin Shield lawsuit.

Bayer Lawsuit
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. has notified the FDA that the company will begin removing the remaining Trasylol stock from the U.S. market, most of which is in warehouses and hospital or physician’s stock. Read more about Traysylol and a Bayer Lawsuit.

Total Body Formula "Recall"
CDC and FDA have linked cases of renal failure (kidney failure), hair loss, fingernail loss, elevated hepatic enzymes, thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, changes in thought processes, gastrointestinal disorders, chest pain, erythema/flushing/rash, dizziness, headache, agitation, and rhabdomyolysis to Total Body Formula and Total Body Mega Formula, dietary supplements manufactured for Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc. Read more about the Total Body Formula "recall" and a possible Total Body Formula lawsuit. Read updated information on Total Body Recall, chromium and renal failure (kidney failure).

Selenium Poisoning (Toxicity)
Total Body Formula, a dietary supplement, has been found by FDA to contain hazardous levels of selenium (up to 200 times the label value). Read about selenium poisoning (toxicity) and a possible Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc. lawsuit.

Chromium Poisoning (Toxicity)
Total Body Formula, a dietary supplement, has been found by FDA to contain hazardous levels of chromium. Read about chromium poisoning (toxicity) and a possible Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc. lawsuit.

Fentanyl Patch Recall
Actavis Inc. has announced that its subsidiary Actavis South Atlantic LLC is proceeding with the voluntarily recall from wholesalers and pharmacies of all lots of Fentanyl transdermal system CII patches sold in the United States. Read about the Fentanyl patch recall.

Tysabri Liver Damage and Wrongful Death
TYSABRI® may have caused severe liver injury that could lead to death or the need for a liver transplant. In a February 2008 “Dear Healthcare Professional Letter,” Biogen Idec, Inc., Elan Corp. and FDA notified healthcare professionals of reports of clinically significant liver injury, including markedly elevated serum hepatic enzymes and elevated total bilirubin, occurring as early as six days after the first dose of Tysabri. A Tysabri lawsuit may include a product liability claim and a Tysabri lawyer can explain a medical malpractice claim.

Botox Wrongful Death
FDA has received reports of systemic adverse reactions including respiratory compromise and death following the use of botulinum toxins types A and B (botox) for both FDA-approved and unapproved uses. At least 23 people have died, most of them children treated for cerebral palsy-accociated limb spasticity.Use of botulinum toxins for treatment of limb spasticity (severe arm and leg muscle spasms) in children or adults is not an approved use in the U.S. Read about botox wrongful death and the lack of a botox recall.

Colchicine "Recall"
On February 6, 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its intention to take enforcement action against companies marketing unapproved injectable colchicines. Colchicine is a highly toxic drug that can easily be administered in excessive doses, especially when given intravenously. The FDA is aware of 50 reports of adverse events associated with the use of intravenous colchicine, including 23 deaths. Read more about the colchicine "recall" and lawyer information.

COMPLETE MoisturePLUS Recall
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. has recalled COMPLETE® MoisturePLUS(TM) multipurpose contact lens care solution. This contact lens solution has been associated with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious eye infection. Learn more about the COMPLETE MoisturePLUS recall. Read the FDA notification regarding the AMO Complete MoisturePlus recall.

ApotheCure-compounded Colchicine Recall
3 people in Oregon and Washington may be dead after injections of Colchicine that was compounded by ApotheCure, a Texas pharmacy company. ApotheCure may have compounded the injectionable Colchicine to be far stronger than it should have been (possibly ten times stronger). Read more about ApotheCure and a possible Colchicine lawsuit.

Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch
Women using the Ortho Evra birth control patch have been shown to have a higher risk for developing blood clots that can lead to heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. Read FDA September 2006 announcement regarding the Ortho Evra birth control patch.

Ortho Evra Birth Control Patch Lawsuit Update
The Ortho Evra birth control patch has been linked to numerous cases of stroke, heart attack, and other serious illnesses. In November 2005 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated labeling for the Ortho Evra birth control patch to warn healthcare providers and patients that the Ortho Evra birth control patch exposes women to higher levels of estrogen than most birth control pills. The new bolded warning specifically states that women who use the Ortho Evra birth control patch are exposed to about 60 percent more total estrogen in their blood than if they were taking a typical birth control pill containing 35 micrograms of estrogen. Read the Ortho Evra birth control patch lawsuit update.

Duragesic Recall
In February and April of 2004, the FDA announced a Duragesic recall (fentanyl pain patch recall) due to the possibility of leakage of medication from the patch onto the skin of the patient. Duragesic is a pain patch that contains fentanyl, a highly concentrated pain killer that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Exposure to the leaked medication from the Duragesic patch could result in inadvertent ingestion or an increased absorption of the opiate component fentanyl, leading to potentially-life-threatening complications. Read more about the Duragesic recall.

Duragesic and Fentanyl FDA Advisory
In July of 2005, the FDA issued an advisory regarding reports of death and other serious side effects from overdoses of fentanyl in patients using fentanyl transdermal (skin) patches for pain control. Deaths and overdoses had occurred in patients using both the brand name product Duragesic and the generic product. Read more about the FDA advisory regarding Duragesic and fentanyl.

Oral Sodium Phosphate Products (Fleet and Visicol) and Kidney Failure
The Food and Drug Administration is warning health care professionals and patients that a rare, but serious form of kidney failure (acute phosphate nephropathy) has been associated with the use of oral sodium phosphate (OSP) products (e.g., Fleet Phospho-soda solution, Fleet Accu-Prep solution, and Visicol tablets) for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy, radiographic procedures, and surgery. Learn more about kidney failure after use of oral sodium phosphate products (Fleet and Visicol).

Traysylol Poses Risk of Kidney Failure
January 28, 2006—An article in the January issue of the New England Journal of Medicine reported that Trasylol, a popular blood-clotting drug used after heart bypass surgery, poses an increased risk of kidney failure, cardiovascular events, and stroke. Learn more about the risks of Trasylol.

Contact Pritzker | Olsen, P.A.
If you feel you have suffered because of a defective medical device, including a Guidant defibrillator or Guidant pacemaker, consulting with a defective medical device attorney at Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. , can help you understand the array of issues involved in cases of this type.

Senior partner, personal injury lawyer Fred Pritzker, has over 30 years of experience helping injured people understand their rights. When someone is at fault for an injury, he knows how to fight for fair compensation, including pain and suffering and punitive damages. He has recovered numerous settlements and verdicts in excess of $1,000,000 for clients and has been named a Super Lawyer by his peers.

Contact Pritzker | Olsen, P.A. for a free consultation. You can reach us toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or fill in our online consultation form. We are a national law firm and represent clients throughout the United States.

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Firm News

Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America

Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America for his work in personal injury litigation.

Attorney Elliot Olsen Speaks at Conference

Attorney Elliot Olsen recently spoke at the Seventh Annual LifeScience Alley Conference in Minneapolis on Preemption and the Future of Medical Device Litigation. He appeared with Randall Pattee of Lindquist and Vennum and Jean Lance, VP of corporate legal and general counsel for Boston Scientific.

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