An estimated one in 15 adults in the United States have sleep apnea, about 18 million people. Many of these patients use a CPAP machine to treat their sleep apnea symptoms. Recently Philips, a leading manufacturer of CPAP machines, issued a recall on many of their CPAP machines and ventilators due to a risk of cancer and other health problems. You may have concerns if you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. Below we’ve answered the most common questions related to the Philips CPAP recall.
How do I know if my machine has been recalled?
Check your CPAP machine to see who the manufacturer is. If you have a Philips machine, it may have been recalled. The company has recalled its DreamStation CPAP and BiPAP devices. Many machines fall under this recall, so take our CPAP questionnaire here to determine if yours is affected.
What is wrong with the Philips CPAP machines?
Philips has disclosed that the sound abatement foam in some of their CPAP devices has the potential to degrade over time. The sound abatement foam prevents your CPAP machine from being excessively noisy. Philips has said this foam can give off toxic chemicals. These particulate matter and gases could cause cancer. The foam degrades during normal use. Environments with high heat and humidity may contribute to the degradation of the foam. It is important to note that toxic fumes can still be released even if you don’t see harmful particles.
What are the health risks?
Some CPAP users have reported serious health issues due to foam degradation in their Philips CPAP machines. Below are the health risks that may occur with continuous exposure to this toxic foam:
- Cancer
- Coughing
- Headache
- Organ damage
- Irritation
- Inflammatory response
- Breathing problems
- Toxicity
- Hypersensitivity
- Nausea and vomiting
What should I do?
If your CPAP machine has been recalled, speak with the doctor that prescribed it for further health recommendations. See a doctor as soon as possible if you are experiencing any health conditions above. Next, you should contact an attorney who is experienced in defective products to see if you are entitled to compensation.
Contact Hach & Rose, LLP today
The attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP are experienced with defective product lawsuits and are ready to assist you with your Philips CPAP case. Our attorneys can help you determine if you are entitled to financial compensation and won’t pay anything out of pocket. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if you get paid. There is no risk in speaking with one of our attorneys about your situation. Call Hach & Rose, LLP today at (212) 779-0057 and allow one of our experienced Philips CPAP lawsuit attorneys to review your claim.