Shoulder Pain Pump Settlements and Verdicts

More than 30 lawsuits have been filed nationwide against the manufacturers of shoulder pain pumps, alleging that the devices caused the development of Post-arthroscopic Glenohumeral Chondrolysis (PAGCL), which is a painful and debilitating condition where the cartilage in the shoulder is destroyed.

Shoulder pain pump lawsuits have resulted in large settlements for patients

Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) Denied

In May, 2008 the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation denied a petition to consolidate all federal lawsuits filed on behalf of individuals who developed PAGCL after using a pain pump following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The panel determined that a MDL is not appropriate in shoulder pain pump litigation, mainly because an indeterminate number of different pain pumps made by different manufacturers are at issue.

At Least 28 Manufacturers Charged

At least 28 different corporations and medical providers are named as defendants in the various shoulder pain pump lawsuits, including Stryker Corp., I-Flow Corp., Smith & Nephew, Inc., DePuy, Inc., DJO, Inc., Breg, Inc. and AstraZeneca PLC, to name a few. At the MDL hearing, all of the defendants named were opposed to the consolidation.

Damage from Pain Pumps is Permanent

PAGCL is a condition that involves the progressive loss of cartilage in the shoulder joint. Research suggests that the intra-articular use of shoulder pumps to deliver a combination of medications to manage pain after arthroscopic surgery may be the cause of this painful and debilitating condition. The cartilage damage is permanent, resulting in severe limitations on range of motion and use of the shoulder. In many cases, individuals who develop PAGCL require a total shoulder replacement surgery.

Consult a Lawyer

If you or a loved one has developed cartilage damage or PAGCL following arthroscopic surgery, you should contact an attorney to find out whether you are eligible for compensation for your injuries.