Kansas City Medical Device Injury Lawyer – Justice for Defective Implants & Devices

Medical devices are supposed to make your life better, not worse. When a device that was meant to heal ends up causing harm, it can feel like a betrayal. You trusted the doctors, the manufacturers, and the system—and now you’re left with pain, additional medical bills, and uncertainty about your future.

At Chionuma Law Firm, our medical device injury lawyers in Kansas City understand what you’re going through. We help people who have been hurt by defective implants and faulty medical devices get the money they need for medical care, lost wages, and the pain they’ve experienced. You don’t have to face this difficult time alone.

Need a Medical Device Injury Lawyer in Kansas City?

When a medical device causes harm instead of helping, your life can change dramatically. You may face new surgeries, ongoing pain, inability to work, and mounting medical bills. During this challenging time, you need someone who understands the law and will fight for your rights.

Why It’s Important to Seek Legal Help

A medical device injury lawyer in Kansas City can provide crucial assistance for several important reasons:

  • Medical device cases are complex. They involve specialized knowledge of both medicine and law. Understanding exactly how a device failed and who is responsible requires expertise that most people don’t have.
  • Powerful companies are involved. Medical device manufacturers are often large corporations with teams of lawyers. Going up against them alone puts you at a serious disadvantage.
  • There may be multiple responsible parties. The manufacturer, distributor, doctor, hospital, or others might share responsibility for your injuries. Identifying all potentially liable parties requires thorough investigation.
  • Evidence needs to be preserved. The failed device itself, medical records, and other evidence must be properly collected and preserved. Without an attorney’s guidance, crucial evidence might be lost.
  • Time limits apply. Missouri law sets strict deadlines for filing medical device injury claims. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar you from receiving compensation.
  • You deserve fair compensation. Without legal representation, you might accept a settlement that falls far short of covering your long-term needs.

If you’ve been injured by a medical device, consulting with a defective implant attorney Kansas City residents trust is an important step to protect your rights and future.

How Chionuma Law Firm Can Support You

Our experienced team can help in several key ways:

  • Evaluate your case for free. We’ll review your situation and explain your legal options without any cost or obligation.
  • Identify all responsible parties. We determine everyone who may be liable for your injuries to maximize your potential compensation.
  • Gather strong evidence. We collect medical records, device information, expert opinions, and other evidence to build a compelling case.
  • Handle all communications. We deal with insurance companies, manufacturers, and their lawyers so you don’t have to.
  • Negotiate for fair compensation. We use our knowledge and experience to pursue the full amount you deserve for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
  • Take your case to court if necessary. While many cases settle out of court, we’re fully prepared to take your case to trial when needed.

By managing these tasks, we allow you to focus on what’s most important: your health and recovery. You don’t have to navigate this complex legal process alone.

What Is a Medical Device Injury?

Understanding the nature of medical device injuries helps you recognize if you might have a case. Let’s explore what these injuries are and how they occur.

Simple Explanation

A medical device injury happens when a product designed to diagnose, treat, or prevent a medical condition causes harm instead of helping. This can happen due to flaws in the device’s design, problems during manufacturing, inadequate testing, or failure to warn about risks.

 

Medical devices range from simple tools like syringes to complex implants like artificial joints or pacemakers. When these devices fail or malfunction, they can cause serious injuries that may require additional surgeries, lead to chronic pain, cause infections, or even result in death.

 

Unlike some other product failures that might just be inconvenient, medical device failures are particularly serious because they occur inside or on your body, often affecting your health directly and immediately.

Examples of Common Devices That May Cause Harm:

Hip Implants

Hip replacement devices are meant to improve mobility and reduce pain, but some have caused serious problems:

 

  • Metal-on-Metal Implants: These can release metal particles into surrounding tissue and bloodstream, causing inflammation, bone damage, and even metal poisoning.
  • Ceramic Implants: Some ceramic components have fractured inside patients, causing severe pain and requiring revision surgery.
  • Poorly Designed Components: Certain implant designs have led to early failures, dislocation, or bone damage.

Signs of hip implant failure include pain, swelling, difficulty walking, unusual sounds (clicking or grinding), and elevated metal levels in blood tests.

 

Pacemakers

Pacemakers regulate heart rhythms, but defective devices can lead to serious complications:

 

  • Battery Failures: Premature battery depletion can occur without warning.
  • Lead Problems: The wires connecting the pacemaker to the heart can break, move out of position, or cause infection.
  • Programming Errors: Software glitches can cause the device to deliver incorrect electrical signals.

When pacemakers fail, patients may experience dizziness, fainting, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or even cardiac arrest.

 

Insulin Pumps

People with diabetes rely on insulin pumps to deliver precise doses of insulin, but problems can include:

 

  • Delivery Errors: Too much or too little insulin can be life-threatening.
  • Alarm Failures: Some pumps fail to alert users to problems or blockages.
  • Connection Issues: Detachment or leakage at the insertion site can disrupt insulin delivery.

Complications from insulin pump failures can range from minor fluctuations in blood sugar to severe hypoglycemia, which can cause seizures, unconsciousness, or death.

 

Hernia Mesh

Surgical mesh used to repair hernias has been linked to numerous complications:

 

  • Mesh Migration: The mesh moves from where it was placed, causing pain and organ damage.
  • Adhesion: The mesh sticks to intestines or other organs, causing obstruction or chronic pain.
  • Perforation: The mesh erodes through tissue, damaging nearby organs.
  • Infection: Bacterial contamination can lead to serious, sometimes chronic, infections.

Patients often experience severe pain, infections, intestinal blockage, and may require multiple surgeries to remove the problematic mesh.

 

Breast Implants

While many breast implants function as intended, some have caused serious health issues:

 

  • Rupture or Leakage: Silicone or saline can leak into surrounding tissue.
  • Capsular Contracture: Hardened scar tissue forms around the implant, causing pain and deformity.
  • BIA-ALCL: A rare type of lymphoma has been linked to textured breast implants.
  • Autoimmune Symptoms: Some women report autoimmune-like symptoms after receiving certain implants.

Complications may require removal surgery and can sometimes lead to lasting health problems.

 

Surgical Instruments

Even instruments used during surgery can cause harm if defective:

 

  • Breaking During Procedures: Pieces can be left inside the patient.
  • Inadequate Sterilization: Design flaws that prevent proper cleaning can lead to infections.
  • Electrical Malfunctions: Devices that use electricity might burn tissue or cause other damage.
  • These failures can lead to extended surgeries, infections, internal injuries, and the need for additional procedures.
  • Knee Replacements
  • Similar to hip implants, knee replacement devices can sometimes fail:
  • Loosening Components: Parts may detach from bone, causing instability.
  • Misalignment: Improper positioning can cause pain and limited function.
  • Premature Wear: Some devices wear out much faster than expected.
  • Infection: Bacteria can grow on or around implant materials.

Patients typically experience pain, swelling, warmth around the knee, instability when standing or walking, and limited range of motion.

 

If you’ve experienced complications from any of these devices, a medical device injury lawyer in Kansas City can help determine if you have a case.

How Do Medical Device Injuries Happen?

Understanding how and why medical devices fail can help establish liability in your case. Here are the main reasons medical device injuries occur:

Defects in Design or Manufacturing

  • Design Defects: The device is fundamentally flawed from the planning stage. Even when made exactly as intended, it poses unreasonable risks to patients. For example, a hip implant might be designed with materials that wear down too quickly or release toxic particles.
  • Manufacturing Defects: The design might be sound, but errors occur during production. This could include contamination during manufacturing, using substandard materials, or assembly errors. Even one small mistake during manufacturing can make a device dangerous.
  • Quality Control Failures: Companies should have systems to catch defective products before they reach patients. When these systems fail or are inadequate, dangerous devices enter the market.
  • Material Problems: Some devices use materials that degrade in the body, cause allergic reactions, or release harmful substances over time.

 

Improper Instructions or Warnings

  • Inadequate Labeling: Manufacturers must provide clear instructions for proper use. When labels are confusing, incomplete, or wrong, devices may be used incorrectly.
  • Failure to Warn: Companies must disclose known risks associated with their devices. When they don’t, doctors and patients can’t make informed decisions.
  • Misleading Marketing: Some manufacturers downplay risks or exaggerate benefits, leading doctors to use devices in situations where they aren’t appropriate.
  • Insufficient Training Materials: Complex devices often require special training for proper use. Inadequate training resources can lead to improper use and patient harm.

 

Doctor Errors Linked to Defective Devices

While many medical device injuries are the manufacturer’s fault, sometimes healthcare providers share responsibility:

  • Improper Device Selection: Choosing the wrong type or size of device for a particular patient.
  • Incorrect Implantation: Errors during the surgical procedure to place the device.
  • Inadequate Monitoring: Failing to check for early signs of device failure or complications.
  • Delayed Response to Problems: Not acting quickly when device issues become apparent.

In some cases, doctor errors occur because the manufacturer didn’t provide adequate instructions or warnings. This is why it’s important to have a hurt by faulty medical device Kansas City lawyer investigate all aspects of your case.

Signs You May Be Hurt by a Faulty Medical Device

Recognizing the warning signs of medical device failure is crucial. Here are common indicators that your medical device might be causing problems:

Pain or Inflammation

  • New or Worsening Pain: Pain that begins after device placement or worsens over time.
  • Persistent Inflammation: Ongoing swelling, redness, or warmth around the device area.
  • Pain During Movement: Discomfort that occurs specifically when moving the body part with the device.
  • Pain That Doesn’t Improve: Discomfort that doesn’t respond to medication or other treatments.

Unexplained pain around your medical device shouldn’t be ignored, as it often signals a problem.

Device Failure

  • Mechanical Problems: Unusual sounds (clicking, grinding), breaking, or visible damage to external parts.
  • Electronic Malfunctions: For devices like pacemakers or insulin pumps, errors in function or complete failure to operate.
  • Detachment or Movement: Parts that were supposed to stay in place shifting position or coming loose.
  • Loss of Intended Function: The device no longer performs as it should, such as a joint implant that becomes unstable.

When a device stops working correctly, it’s not just an inconvenience—it can be dangerous.

New Surgeries Needed

  • Revision Surgery: Procedures to fix, adjust, or replace the original device.
  • Removal Surgery: Operations to take out a failed device completely.
  • Corrective Procedures: Surgeries to repair damage caused by the device.

The need for additional surgeries is often a clear sign that something went wrong with the original device.

Infections or Internal Damage

  • Recurring Infections: Persistent or repeated infections near the device.
  • Unusual Lab Results: Blood tests showing inflammation, infection, or toxic substances.
  • Organ Damage: Harm to tissues or organs near the device.
  • Allergic Reactions: Rashes, hives, or more severe allergic responses to device materials.

These medical complications can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. If you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s important to seek both medical attention and legal advice.

If you’ve been experiencing problems after receiving a medical implant or device, our spinal cord injury page may also provide useful information if your spine has been affected.

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nerve damage lawyer in Kansas City

What to Do If a Medical Device Has Harmed You

Taking the right steps after discovering a medical device problem can protect both your health and your legal rights.

Get Medical Help Right Away

Your health comes first. If you suspect your medical device is causing problems:

  • See Your Doctor: Schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to evaluate your symptoms.
  • Be Specific About Concerns: Tell your doctor exactly what problems you’re experiencing and why you believe they’re related to your device.
  • Ask About Options: Discuss whether the device should be monitored, adjusted, or removed.
  • Get a Second Opinion: If your doctor dismisses your concerns, consider seeing another specialist for a different perspective.
  • Follow Treatment Recommendations: Complete any tests, imaging, or treatments your doctor suggests.

Prompt medical attention can prevent more serious complications and creates documentation of your issues.

Keep All Medical Records and the Device (if removed)

Evidence is crucial for your case:

  • Request Copies of Records: Get copies of all medical records related to the original device placement and any subsequent problems.
  • Save Bills and Receipts: Keep documentation of all medical expenses.
  • Preserve the Device: If your device is removed, ask your doctor to preserve it and not send it back to the manufacturer. The actual device can be important evidence.
  • Take Photos: If possible, photograph the device and any visible problems.
  • Keep a Symptom Journal: Document your symptoms, when they occur, and how they affect your daily life.

These records help establish the connection between the device and your injuries.

Contact a Kansas City Medical Device Injury Lawyer

Legal help should be sought as soon as possible:

  • Free Initial Consultation: Most personal injury attorneys, including our team at Chionuma Law Firm, offer free case evaluations.
  • Act Quickly: Time limits apply to medical device cases, and evidence can disappear over time.
  • Be Honest and Detailed: Tell your attorney everything about your medical history and the problems you’ve experienced.
  • Bring Documentation: Share your medical records, device information, and any correspondence with the manufacturer.
  • Ask Questions: A good attorney will take time to answer your questions and explain the process ahead.

The sooner you involve a lawyer, the better your chances of building a strong case.

If you’ve experienced burns or tissue damage from a device, our burn injury page provides additional information that may be relevant to your situation.

Types of Compensation You Can Get

If you’ve been injured by a defective medical device, you may be entitled to several types of compensation (called “damages”). Understanding these can help you know what to expect from your case.

Medical Costs

You deserve compensation for all device-related medical expenses:

 

  • Past Medical Bills: Emergency care, doctor visits, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and therapy you’ve already received.
  • Future Medical Expenses: Additional surgeries, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and future medications you’ll need.
  • Medical Equipment: Costs for wheelchairs, braces, or other assistive devices needed because of your injury.
  • Home Healthcare: Expenses for in-home medical care if required.

These costs can be substantial, especially if you need revision surgery or ongoing care.

 

Lost Wages

When a medical device injury affects your ability to work, you should be compensated for:

 

  • Missed Work: Income lost while recovering from surgeries or dealing with complications.
  • Reduced Hours: Money lost if you can only work part-time due to your injury.
  • Lost Benefits: The value of health insurance, retirement contributions, and other benefits lost due to missed work.

Your financial security shouldn’t be threatened because a defective product harmed you.

 

Future Care Expenses

Many medical device injuries create long-term needs:

 

  • Ongoing Treatment: Regular doctor visits, physical therapy, or other treatments.
  • Future Surgeries: Procedures you’ll need later to address complications.
  • Medication Costs: Long-term prescription expenses.
  • Assistive Devices: Future replacements or upgrades to equipment.

A proper settlement should account for these future expenses, not just your current bills.

 

Pain and Suffering

Beyond financial losses, you deserve compensation for:

 

  • Physical Pain: The actual pain experienced from the defective device and subsequent treatments.
  • Discomfort: Ongoing physical distress caused by the device.
  • Inconvenience: The hardship of dealing with medical appointments and limitations.

These non-economic damages acknowledge the real suffering you’ve endured.

 

Emotional Distress

Medical device failures can take a significant emotional toll:

 

  • Anxiety and Depression: Mental health challenges resulting from your experience.
  • Fear: Worry about future complications or additional procedures.
  • Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or other sleep problems related to your situation.
  • Mental Anguish: The psychological impact of a trusted medical device causing harm.

The emotional impact of your injury deserves recognition and compensation.

 

Disability or Disfigurement

Some medical device injuries cause permanent changes:

 

  • Long-term Disability: Compensation for permanent limitations.
  • Scarring: Recognition of visible scars from additional surgeries.
  • Disfigurement: Changes to your appearance or body function.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for activities you can no longer enjoy.

These lasting effects can significantly impact your quality of life and deserve appropriate compensation.

 

As Kansas City MO personal injury lawyers, we work to ensure all these damages are properly calculated and included in your claim.

What If the FDA Approved the Device?

Many people assume that FDA approval guarantees safety, but this isn’t always the case. Understanding the limitations of FDA oversight is important for your case.

FDA approval doesn’t always mean the device is safe for several reasons:

  • Limited Testing: Many devices undergo limited clinical testing before approval.
  • Expedited Processes: Some devices are approved through “fast-track” programs with less rigorous review.
  • Similar Device Approval: Many devices are approved because they’re “substantially equivalent” to existing products, without new testing.
  • Post-Market Discovery: Some problems only become apparent after thousands of patients have received the device.
  • Manufacturer Omissions: Companies might not share all relevant information with the FDA.
  • Even with FDA approval, laws still protect victims of defective medical devices:
  • Product Liability Laws: These hold manufacturers responsible for defective products, regardless of FDA approval.
  • Failure to Warn: Companies must still warn about known risks, even after approval.
  • Negligence Claims: Manufacturers can be liable for negligence in design, testing, or manufacturing.
  • Fraud Allegations: In some cases, companies may have misrepresented data to the FDA.

The FDA itself has acknowledged that its approval process isn’t perfect, and courts have consistently held that FDA approval doesn’t shield manufacturers from liability when their products cause harm.

If you’re dealing with complications from a brain injury related to a medical device, our brain damage page may provide additional helpful information.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Missouri?

Timing is critical in medical device injury cases. Missing deadlines can permanently bar you from receiving compensation.

Missouri’s Statute of Limitations for Product Liability

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for product liability claims, including defective medical device cases, is generally five years from the date you knew or should have known about your injury.

 

This might seem like a long time, but several factors make it important to act quickly:

 

  • Discovery Rule: The clock typically starts running when you discover (or should have discovered) that the device caused your injury—not when the device was implanted.
  • Statute of Repose: Missouri has a statute of repose that may bar claims regardless of when you discovered the problem if too much time has passed since the product was sold.
  • Evidence Preservation: Evidence can disappear or degrade over time. Medical records may be more difficult to obtain after several years.
  • Witness Memories: People’s memories fade, making it harder to get accurate testimony as time passes.
  • There are some exceptions that might extend your time to file:
  • Minors: If the injured person is under 21, the statute of limitations may be extended.
  • Continuing Harm: If the device continues to cause new injuries, the timeline might be calculated differently.
  • Fraud: If the manufacturer concealed information about the device’s dangers, the court might extend the deadline.

The specific circumstances of your case will determine exactly how long you have to file. The safest approach is to consult with a medical device injury lawyer in Kansas City as soon as possible after discovering a problem with your device.

Why Choose Chionuma Law Firm?

When you’re suffering from a medical device injury, choosing the right attorney can make a huge difference in your recovery and financial future.

Kansas City-based with years of experience

As local Kansas City attorneys, we offer advantages that bigger national firms can’t match:

 

  • Local Court Knowledge: We understand the Missouri court system and local legal procedures.
  • Accessibility: We’re right here in your community, available for in-person meetings when needed.
  • Personal Attention: You’ll work directly with attorneys who know your case, not just case managers at a distant office.
  • Community Connections: We have relationships with local medical experts who can help strengthen your case.

Our experience with medical device cases means we understand the complex medical and legal issues involved in these claims.

 

Successful case results for injury victims

Our track record speaks for itself:

 

  • Substantial Settlements: We’ve secured significant compensation for clients harmed by defective medical devices.
  • Experience with Major Manufacturers: We’ve gone up against large medical device companies and won.
  • Knowledge of Medical Issues: We understand the technical aspects of various medical devices and how they fail.
  • Trial Readiness: While many cases settle, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial, which often leads to better settlement offers.

We know what it takes to get results in these challenging cases.

 

Compassionate, client-focused team

At Chionuma Law Firm, you’re more than just a case number:

 

  • Empathetic Approach: We understand the physical and emotional toll of medical device injuries.
  • Clear Communication: We explain complex legal and medical concepts in simple terms you can understand.
  • Regular Updates: We keep you informed about your case’s progress every step of the way.
  • Responsive Service: Your questions and concerns are addressed promptly and thoroughly.

We treat our clients with the respect and compassion they deserve during a difficult time.

 

No fees unless we win

We work on a contingency fee basis, which means:

 

  • Free Initial Consultation: We’ll evaluate your case at no cost to you.
  • No Upfront Payment: We cover all the costs of investigating and litigating your case.
  • No Risk to You: You only pay legal fees if we recover money for you.
  • Aligned Interests: Our success depends on your success, so we’re motivated to get you the best possible outcome.

This arrangement allows you to get quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.

Call a Kansas City Medical Device Injury Lawyer Today

Free Consultation Offer

If you or someone you love has been harmed by a defective medical device, now is the time to act. At Chionuma Law Firm, we’re ready to help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve.

 

Taking the first step is easy and risk-free:

  • Free Case Evaluation: We’ll review your situation at no cost and with no obligation.
  • No Upfront Fees: You pay nothing unless we win money for you.
  • Convenient Process: We can meet in person, by phone, or virtually—whatever works best for you.
  • Immediate Support: We can start working on your case right away.

To get started, call our office at (816) 319-0647 or fill out our simple online form. Our team will respond quickly to set up your free consultation.

 

You’re Not Alone. We’re Here to Help.

Dealing with a medical device injury can feel overwhelming. You may be facing pain, medical complications, financial stress, and uncertainty about the future. But you don’t have to face these challenges alone.

 

Our experienced team at Chionuma Law Firm is dedicated to helping people like you get compensation for defective medical products. We understand what you’re going through, and we know how to hold manufacturers accountable when their devices cause harm.

 

Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek justice. Contact us today to learn how we can help you move forward after a medical device injury. The path to recovery begins with a single call or message. Reach out now, and let us help you take the first step toward the compensation and closure you deserve.

Does Chionuma Law Firm Only Provide a Car Accident Lawyer in Kansas City, MO, or Statewide Services?

Not only operating as a car accident lawyer in Jackson County, Chuck and his team has no geographic limits, focusing on the entire Metro Kansas City area

We Don’t Brag About Our Service

But Our Clients Do

Frequently Asked Question

Medical device lawsuits can involve a wide range of products, including:

Implantable Devices: Hip and knee replacements, pacemakers, defibrillators, hernia mesh, transvaginal mesh, breast implants, IUDs, and spinal implants.

External Medical Equipment: Insulin pumps, CPAP machines, ventilators, surgical tools, and dialysis machines.

Monitoring Devices: Blood glucose monitors, heart monitors, and sleep apnea monitors.

Surgical Instruments: Staplers, robotic surgical systems, and power morcellators.

Any medical device that fails to work as intended or causes unexpected harm may be the subject of a lawsuit. The key factor is whether the device was defective and caused you injury.

Yes, if possible. The actual device that was removed from your body can be crucial evidence in your case. It allows experts to examine exactly what went wrong and why. If you’re scheduled for revision surgery to remove a device:

Inform your surgeon that you want the device preserved for legal reasons.

Ask that the device not be sent back to the manufacturer (which often happens automatically).

Ensure proper documentation of the device’s condition when it’s removed.

Have it stored properly to prevent further damage or contamination.

If the device has already been removed and you’re not sure where it is, tell your attorney. Sometimes it can still be located, or other evidence can be used to build your case.

Your doctor’s knowledge about the device doesn’t prevent you from seeking compensation from the manufacturer. In many cases, doctors themselves are unaware of defects or risks because:

Manufacturers may not have disclosed all known problems to doctors.

Issues might only become apparent after thousands of devices have been implanted.

Clinical trials may not have revealed all potential complications.

While your case will primarily target the manufacturer, there are situations where medical professionals might share responsibility:

If they failed to follow proper procedures for implanting the device.

If they ignored known warnings about the device.

If they failed to respond appropriately when you reported problems.

Your attorney will investigate to determine all parties who may be liable for your injuries.

Yes, Missouri has a statute of limitations that restricts how long you have to file a medical device injury claim. Generally, you have five years from when you discovered (or should have discovered) that your injury was caused by the defective device.

However, several factors can affect this timeline:

The “discovery rule” may extend the deadline if you couldn’t reasonably have known about the problem earlier.

Manufacturer fraud or concealment of information might extend the deadline.

Certain exceptions apply for minors or those with limited legal capacity.

Because determining the exact deadline in your specific case can be complex, it’s best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after discovering a problem with your medical device.

No. At Chionuma Law Firm, we handle medical device injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means:

Your initial consultation is completely free.

You pay no upfront costs or retainer fees.

We cover all expenses of investigating and litigating your case.

You only pay if we win money for you through a settlement or verdict.

Our fee is a percentage of your recovery, agreed upon in advance.

This arrangement allows you to get quality legal representation without any financial risk during this already challenging time. You can focus on your health while we handle the legal aspects of your case.

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