PHILIPS AGREES TO PAY $ 1 BILLION TO PATIENTS WHO SAY THEY WERE INJURED BY BREATHING MACHINES
By Debbie Cenziper , ProPublica ; Michael D . Sallah , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ; and Julian Andreone , Medill Investigative Lab
After years of legal battles , Philips has agreed to pay more than $ 1 billion to settle lawsuits waged by thousands of people who say they were injured by breathing machines capable of releasing toxic particles and fumes into their noses , mouths , and lungs .
The proposed settlement unveiled Monday between the global manufacturer and plaintiffs ’ lawyers will effectively end more than 700 lawsuits filed after the 2021 recall of millions of the company ’ s widely used sleep apnea devices and ventilators .
More than 50,000 people are involved in the litigation . It has yet to be determined how many will have claims that fall under the terms of the settlement , which will be filed in federal court in Pittsburgh .
Philips also agreed to provide $ 25 million to cover the cost of medical monitoring for users who are fearful that hazardous chemicals emitted from the machines could lead to long-term harm , including cancer . Since 2021 , the Food and Drug Administration has received more than 500 reports of deaths reportedly associated with the machines since 2021 .
Plaintiffs have said that Philips , which built the devices at two factories near Pittsburgh , should be held accountable for failing to pull the machines off the shelves years ago .
“ I still don ’ t have my husband ,” said Shawne Thomas of Louisiana , whose 51-year-old husband , Rodney , died from a rare form of nose and throat cancer in 2021 after using one of the recalled machines for months . “ But it sounds like a good amount of money coming out of their pocket , so it makes me feel a little bit happier .”
28 x The Trial Lawyer