Betrayed by a Binghamton Medical Device?

Binghamton Patients Deserve Justice

The Disturbing Reality of Defective Medical Devices in the U.S.

Medical devices should make your life easier, not harder. At Horn Wright, LLP, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating it is when a device you trusted fails you. Our experienced personal injury attorneys know how devastating it is when a device you trusted fails you. In New York, product liability laws, such as New York CPLR § 214, set the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit related to defective medical devices. 

But across the U.S., thousands of people like you have suffered serious complications from faulty implants, pacemakers, and other medical products. These aren’t just minor inconveniences—they’re life-altering failures that can lead to pain, disability, and even death. The worst part? Many of these devices hit the market without enough testing, putting profits ahead of your safety.

How Companies Put Profits Before Patient Safety

You’d think medical device companies would prioritize patient safety. But too often, they don’t. Instead of thoroughly testing new products, some manufacturers rush them through the FDA’s 510(k) process—a shortcut that lets companies sell new devices if they’re “similar” to existing ones. That means dangerous implants can be approved without proper clinical trials.

Even when companies know their products have issues, they sometimes look the other way. That’s why working with skilled personal injury attorneys can make all the difference in holding them accountable. 

Under New York General Business Law § 349, companies can be sued for deceptive trade practices, including misrepresenting the safety of medical devices. Reports of device malfunctions get buried. Recalls are delayed. And in the meantime, unsuspecting patients like you are left to suffer. When lawsuits start piling up, these companies fight tooth and nail to avoid accountability rather than fixing the problem.

When Medical Implants Go Wrong: Hip Replacements, Pacemakers & More

Millions of people rely on medical implants to stay healthy and active. But when these devices fail, the consequences can be devastating.

The Impact of Defective Implants on Daily Life

A faulty implant isn’t just frustrating—it can turn your life upside down. Maybe you got a hip replacement to ease your pain, only to find yourself worse off than before. Or perhaps you trusted a pacemaker to keep your heart steady, but now you’re living in fear that it might fail. Even simple tasks—walking, working, sleeping—become a struggle.

Defective medical implants have been linked to:

• Chronic pain and inflammation – Metal-on-metal hip implants, like those from DePuy Orthopedics, have released toxic metal debris into patients' bloodstreams, causing severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage.
• Infections requiring more surgeries – Some hernia mesh implants have been recalled because they break down inside the body, leading to painful infections and multiple revision surgeries.
• Organ damage and internal bleeding – Faulty IVC filters, designed to catch blood clots, have fractured inside patients, causing punctured organs, severe bleeding, and life-threatening complications.
• Device migration or breakage inside the body – Spinal cord stimulators have shifted or snapped, leading to nerve damage, electric shocks, and costly emergency surgeries.
• Emotional trauma from failed treatments – When a medical device fails, it’s not just your body that suffers. The stress, fear, and uncertainty can take a serious toll on your mental health.

Cases Where These Devices Have Failed Catastrophically

Some of the worst medical device failures have led to class-action lawsuits and mass recalls. Metal-on-metal hip replacements, for instance, caused widespread health issues, forcing manufacturers to pay billions in settlements. Defective heart valves have leaked, leading to fatal heart failure. Even surgical staplers—something you’d expect to be reliable—have misfired inside patients, causing internal injuries. When these devices fail, the consequences aren’t just painful—they can be deadly.

Proving a Medical Device Caused Your Injury – The Key Steps

If a defective medical device has harmed you, proving it in court can be a battle. That’s where personal injury attorneys step in to fight for your rights and ensure you get the justice you deserve. New York law also follows the strict liability standard in defective product cases, meaning manufacturers can be held responsible even if they didn’t act negligently. Manufacturers won’t admit fault easily, which means gathering solid evidence is critical.

The Importance of Medical Records and Expert Opinions

Your medical records are your strongest proof. They show the timeline of your symptoms, surgeries, and complications—helping to connect your injuries to the faulty device. Imaging scans, doctor’s notes, and hospital records all play a role.

But sometimes, medical records alone aren’t enough. That’s where expert witnesses come in. Engineers and medical specialists can analyze your device, explaining how it was supposed to work versus how it actually failed. Without these expert opinions, manufacturers may try to argue that your injuries were just bad luck or unrelated health issues.

FDA Recalls and the Truth About Dangerous Medical Devices

You’d think that if a medical device was dangerous, the FDA would pull it from the market immediately. Unfortunately, that’s not always how it works.

Why Some Dangerous Devices Never Get Recalled

Not all unsafe medical devices get recalled, and even when they do, it’s often too little, too late. Why? Because recalls are usually voluntary, meaning companies get to decide when—or if—they take action. Some manufacturers downplay safety concerns for years, keeping their products on the market despite growing reports of serious harm.

Even when a recall happens, it doesn’t always mean the device is removed from your body. Many patients don’t even get notified in time. Some companies issue “soft recalls,” recommending doctors monitor the device rather than remove it—essentially gambling with your health.

What Binghamton Victims Can Recover After a Medical Device Injury

If a defective medical device has turned your life upside down, you deserve compensation. But what exactly can you recover? Courts consider both financial losses and the personal toll of your suffering.

How Courts Calculate Compensation for Victims

Damages in medical device lawsuits fall into two categories:

• Economic damages – These cover the hard costs: medical bills, lost wages, and future treatments. For example, if a failed hip implant forces you to undergo multiple revision surgeries, each costing tens of thousands of dollars, those costs should be covered.
• Non-economic damages – These compensate you for the personal toll: pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. If a defective spinal cord stimulator has left you in constant pain, unable to work or enjoy everyday activities, you deserve compensation for that, too.

In some cases, courts award punitive damages—extra money meant to punish manufacturers for extreme negligence. If a company knowingly sold a dangerous device and put profits before people, they could be forced to pay far beyond your medical expenses.

Work with Horn Wright, LLP to Get the Justice You Deserve

If a defective medical device has left you suffering, you don’t have to go through this alone. At Horn Wright, LLP, our personal injury attorneys know how to take on big medical manufacturers and fight for the justice you deserve. We’ll handle the legal battle while you focus on healing. 

Contact us today to discuss your case and take the first step toward reclaiming your life. You deserve top-tier legal representation, so if you're looking to hire one of the best law firms in America, we’re here to fight for you.