A significant development has unfolded regarding certain recalled Philips CPAP devices, with the opening of a $479 million settlement plan as part of a class action lawsuit.
In September, Philips agreed to this settlement to compensate individuals who purchased, leased, or rented specific CPAP, BiPAP, or ventilator devices affected by a June 2021 recall. The agreement aims to provide financial relief to millions of Americans impacted by defective Philips devices.
Key Points:
- Eligible claimants may receive compensation for devices impacted by the failure of sound abatement foam, which led to users inhaling or swallowing particles.
- A dedicated settlement website has been established to assist CPAP users in determining eligibility and benefits. The claim filing period opened on Dec. 11 and is expected to close in August 2024.
- It’s important to note that this settlement, pending final approval from a judge, does not address Philips CPAP lawsuits related to personal injury or medical monitoring.
Compensation Details:
- Around 11 million Philips devices were recalled due to the degradation of polyester-based polyurethane foam insulation, resulting in the release of toxic fumes and particles into users’ airways.
- The FDA received a significant number of complaints, including reports of deaths, related to the foam inside the CPAP machines.
- Recalled devices include various models under the System One and DreamStation series, among others, and eligible users may receive compensation of up to $1,500 per device.
- Compensation may include device payment awards, device return awards, and/or device replacement awards. Eligibility can be determined through the settlement website.
Recent Issues and Concerns:
- The recalls have exacerbated concerns over CPAP device shortages, impacting hundreds of thousands of patients who have yet to receive replacements.
- Additionally, recent warnings from the FDA regarding potential overheating issues with certain Philips CPAP machines have raised further alarm. The agency received a significant increase in reports of thermal issues associated with the DreamStation 2 CPAP machines.
- Despite these concerns, Philips maintains the safety of its devices, though it has not commented on the pending settlement.
This class action settlement signifies an important step in addressing the fallout from the Philips CPAP device recalls and aims to provide much-needed relief to affected individuals.
