What You Need to Know About Defective EpiPens | Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
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What You Need to Know About Defective EpiPens

Written by Jared Staver

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Jared Staver is a Personal Injury Lawyer based in Chicago, Illinois and has been practicing law for over 20 years.

Jared Staver

CATEGORY: Product Liability


Countless people use EpiPens when having an allergic reaction. If you have serious allergies, you are probably always near your EpiPen and expect it to work in the case of an emergency. Recently, there have been many cases where EpiPens have proven to be defective, and some of these cases have resulted in the death of those relying on the device. If you or a loved one have suffered from serious illness or death due to defective EpiPens, you will need a knowledgeable and compassionate legal team to hold the negligent party responsible and seek compensation for your injuries.

Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. has helped many clients who have suffered injuries due to defective products, and we understand how a defective EpiPen can impact your life. To speak with an experienced Chicago product liability attorney, call us today at (312) 236-2900 to set up a free consultation.

Defective EpiPens & EpiPen Recalls

When you are using your EpiPen, you are relying on the device to deliver a shot of epinephrine during an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. Recently, however, there have been many incidences where the auto-injector on these devices has failed several ways. Some defective auto-injectors have failed to deliver a dose of epinephrine when properly activated by the person in need. Other defective EpiPens have delivered the epinephrine when it is not needed, therefore leaving the device empty and useless to a patient who may be experiencing a dangerous allergic reaction at a later time.

Many EpiPens were recalled in March of this year due to defective auto-injectors, but the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter stating that the manufacturer Meridian Medical Technologies failed to properly investigate reports of defective EpiPens. Therefore, it is possible that some EpiPens are out on the market without having been properly inspected for defects. With these reports being made as recently as September of this year, it is possible that there are many people who unknowingly are in possession of defective devices.

Tens of thousands of EpiPen devices have been recently recalled. The FDA has released specific product information, including lot numbers on the defective devices that you can view on their website.

What To Do If You Have Used A Defective EpiPen

While many people can check their EpiPens’ lot number and determine if it has been recalled, not every EpiPen can be accounted for. It is possible that there is a defective EpiPen at your child’s school, and the staff there have not yet removed it. Additionally, as knowledge about defective auto-injectors increases, it may be found that other EpiPens are defective beyond those already recalled.

You should seek medical attention if you or a loved one has a serious allergy attack prompting you to use an EpiPen. This is recommended for cases even when the device is known to work properly. If you or a loved one has used a defective EpiPen, you should seek medical attention immediately.

It can be difficult to tell if your EpiPen is defective by solely judging how you feel after using it during an allergy attack. People will respond differently each time they are exposed to an allergen, and you can experience an episode of anaphylaxis again several hours after using a properly functioning EpiPen. Signs that your EpiPen was defective include many symptoms such as:

  • Itching or swelling, especially around your eyes or mouth
  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing or wheezing
  • Prolonged dizziness
  • A weak pulse
  • Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or stomach cramps
  • Itching or swelling in your throat

A Chicago Product Liability Lawyer Can Help You

EpiPens should work when we need them, but a defective auto-injector on your EpiPen could result in a serious injury or death if you or a loved one rely on the device during a serious allergic reaction. An experienced and compassionate Chicago product liability lawyer can help you seek compensation if you or your child has been hurt by a defective EpiPen. Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. has years of experience helping our clients after they have been injured by defective products.

To discuss your case with an experienced attorney, contact us at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. today. Call us today at (312) 236-2900.

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(312) 236-2900
(312) 236-2900
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