Medtronic SynchroMed II pain pump compensation claims
Launched by Medtronic in 2004, the Synchromed II is a programmable infusion (intrathecal) pump implanted in the abdomen and designed to deliver drugs to treat chronic pain, spasticity, and primary or metastatic cancer. It has a battery life of up to 7 years and the drug reservoir is refilled as necessary by injection. A small catheter connected to the pump at one end is inserted into the intrathecal space in the spine, allowing direct and controllable administration of the drug.
People with a Synchromed II pain pump were entitled to assume that it was delivering the proper dose of pain medication, muscle relaxant or cancer drug. Unfortunately, the Synchromed II has had a history of problems and for some people, the pump was delivering either too much or too little of the drug, leading to serious side-effects, unnecessary suffering or even death.
“It’s difficult to believe it’s all over David. Just knowing that we’re now financially secure is probably the best therapy I’ve had so far. I can’t even begin to imagine what mess I’d be in if I hadn’t found you. Thank you from the whole family.” JF, December 2017
Specialist
Specialist medical negligence solicitor, David Gazzard, said “It hasn’t just been technical problems with the device itself. We’ve seen issues with catheters which have moved from where they were implanted, catheters which have become blocked and even cases where surrounding body tissues have been injected whilst the pain pump reservoir was being refilled.”
Warnings
Both the British government and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued multiple warnings about Medtronic pain pumps and certain models have been subject to a recall.
If a problem develops it is relatively straightforward to render a pump inactive. However, as a result of a variety of concerns over removal of implanted devices, many people are then left with a useless pump in situ.
“I would like to thank you for your kindness, support and understanding. This wasn’t an easy step for us to take and without your prompt action, thoroughness and sound advice I’m certain that we wouldn’t have seen such an early end to this matter.” YL, February 2018
Contact
To speak to David informally and in complete confidence about a claim for compensation arising from the Medtronic SynchroMed II pain pump or other defective medical products, please call him on 01793 615011 or email him at david.gazzard@blbsolictors.co.uk