On March 16th, the medical device manufacturer Vascular Solutions, Inc. initiated a recall of its Langston Dual Lumen Catheter. Many people who underwent an imaging test that used one of these catheters – as well as health-care providers who performed the tests – may be able to seek financial compensation.
These catheters are used to inject dye (contrast material) into the blood vessels during medical imaging tests, such as angiographies. The contrast created by the dye allows doctors to see structures inside the body and provides them with information they need to make a diagnosis.
Possible health risks
Potential problems with the Langston Dual Lumen Catheter have been reported. There is a possibility that the inner catheter can separate from the device while it is being used. This can lead to a number of problems.
If the inner catheter becomes separated while dye is being injected into blood vessels, there may be damage to the blood vessel and surgery may be needed to prevent the injury from becoming fatal. If the inner catheter separates outside the patient’s body, a healthcare provider could be sprayed by the dye and suffer an infection that requires medical treatment.
The FDA identified this as a Class I recall, meaning use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death. It applies to model 6F 5540 catheters that were made between June 22, 2019 and December 2019 and distributed between July 12, 2019 and March 10, 2020.
Can you recover compensation for damages caused by a catheter?
Companies that make medical devices have a responsibility to make sure their products are safe for patients – and for health-care providers. When people are hurt as a result of the failure to meet that responsibility, negligent companies need to be held accountable.
If you suffered an injury or illness directly related to the use of the Langston Dual Lumen Catheter in New Jersey, you may be able to recover financial compensation. There are two steps you need to take as soon as possible.
- The first step is to protect your health. See a doctor about your illness or injury and get any treatment that you need.
- The second step is to talk to a personal injury lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can explain your rights and go over your legal options.
Get legal advice from a New Jersey personal injury attorney
Shebell & Shebell has been fighting for the injured in Monmouth and Ocean counties for generations. We know how to handle complex cases and have a long history of helping people who have been injured by the use of dangerous or defective devices.
Our firm can investigate cases involving defective medical devices. Our legal team gathers evidence to help us determine if the defect was in the design or manufacture of the product, or if the company failed to provide proper warnings. We check to see if a Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) was done and review safety engineering hierarchies.
If you suffered an injury in a procedure using a Langston Dual Lumen Catheter at hospital, learn your rights. Contact us for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney.