In the past two decades, the number of people in the United States getting pacemaker implants has increased significantly. There are 225,567 people with internal cardiac pacemakers, making it the country with the highest number of patients with this implant. A study found that between 1993 and 2009, there were close to 3 million people in the U.S. who had a pacemaker implanted.
In the past two decades, the number of people in the United States getting pacemaker implants has increased significantly. There are 225,567 people with internal cardiac pacemakers, making it the country with the highest number of patients with this implant. A study found that between 1993 and 2009, there were close to 3 million people in the U.S. who had a pacemaker implanted.
In 1993, about 121 pacemakers were implanted and by 2009, that number had risen to 188,700, which was an increase of 56%.
As with any procedure that involves the heart or the heartbeat of a patient, there is always a risk of injury or death. A pacemaker implant has these risks as well. Although many complications that stem from this type of procedure will not result in a viable malpractice claim but there are some that will. Others may result in a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of the pacemaker.
Why People get Pacemaker Implants
Pacemaker implants are used to treat a number of common heart conditions. Tachy-brady syndrome (alternately too fast or too slow heartbeat), bradycardia (slow heartbeat) and heart blocks are all treated with pacemakers, and in most cases, they are treated successfully. These are just a few of the numerous conditions that pacemakers can help heart patients with.
Inherent Risks Associated with Pacemaker Implants
Like with any other type of surgery, a pacemaker implantation comes with the risk of infection and/or bleeding. It is also possible that damage is caused to blood vessels during the procedure. A condition known as pneumothorax, where air gets trapped between the wall of the chest and the lung’s interior, is a risk if a lung is punctured while the implantation is performed. It is critical to keep in mind that even without medical negligence on the part of the surgeon or other medical professional, complications can develop with this type of procedure.
Lawsuits Due to Pacemaker Complications
As in any medical malpractice case, a case involving pacemaker transplantation hinges on the duty of a medical professional to abide by the medical standard of care. If the standard of care is breached and results in injury, it is likely that a patient has a viable medical malpractice case.
During a pacemaker implantation, if a medical professional damages the heart, punctures a lung or causes any type of injury, the standard of care may have been violated. An improperly implanted pacemaker could also be considered a violation of the standard of care. If a pacemaker is not properly implanted, it could lead to fainting spells, lightheadedness, and debilitating heart palpitations. These can have an adverse effect on a patient’s everyday life and their ability to live and work.
RMFW Law Brings Home the Bacon
If you or a loved one suffered complications after a pacemaker implantation, you should quickly seek the counsel of the medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. You can bring your medical records and discuss the facts of your case. The first meeting is free.
Give us a call today! You pay us nothing up front and since we only take a percentage of the final verdict or settlement, you never really pay us at all. We know which legal avenues to take and when to take them.
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