Ethicon Echelon Flex Surgical Stapler Lawsuit Attorneys

If you experienced complications during or after surgery due to a defective surgical stapler and/or you required additional corrective procedures to fix the damage caused by a faulty stapler, you may be eligible to receive substantial compensation. Douglas & London has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients who were injured by defective medical devices and we can provide the representation you need to redress the wrong that was done to you.

Our team of defective medical device lawyers can help determine which surgical stapler was used in your procedure, identify any parties that are liable for your injuries, and explore all of your surgical stapler lawsuit options. Your consultation is free of charge. Call us anytime or use the online contact form to get started.

Client Testimonial, Susan Bush

Ethicon Surgical Stapler Recall

Johnson & Johnson has issued a recall of its Echelon Flex Endopath Staplers. This surgical stapler, which is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon division, was developed to cut and staple internal tissue together simultaneously during procedures.  

The device was recalled due to a defect in a part that caused the staples to improperly close incisions, leading to leakage and bleeding at these sites. Damage caused by the malformed staples required additional surgery to repair the faulty closures.

Based on these serious defects in the Flex Endopath Staplers, the FDA issued a Class I recall, the most serious recall category reserved for devices that cause significant risk of bodily harm or death.

Malformed staples that are not recognized or addressed right away can lead to:

  • Prolonged surgery
  • Hemorrhagic shock
  • Sepsis
  • Fistula formation
  • Bowel leakage 

Which Specific Staplers Were Recalled?

Recalled Echelon Flex Endopath Staplers include:

  • Echelon Flex 60 Endopath Stapler, Articulating Endoscopic Linear Cutter (EC60A)
  • Echelon Flex 60 Powered Plus Compact Articulating Endoscopic Linear Cutter (PCEE60A)
  • Echelon Flex 60 Powered Plus Articulating Endoscopic Linear Cutter, 44cm Shaft Length (PLEE60A)
  • Echelon Flex 60 Powered Plus Articulating Endoscopic Linear Cutter, 34cm Shaft Length (PSEE60A)

Echelon Flex Endopath Staplers Product Codes:

  • EC60A
  • PCEE60A
  • PLEE60A
  • PSEE60A

Contact a surgical stapler lawyer at Douglas & London if you are unsure what type of stapler was used during a recent procedure. Our team of investigators can get to the bottom of what happened to you or your loved one.

Who Might Qualify for an Ethicon Surgical Stapler Lawsuit?

A total of 8,256 staplers were recalled by the FDA. These staplers were distributed for use in August and September of 2019. Cases that qualify for a lawsuit include those where surgeries took place during those two months. In some instances, it is obvious to the surgeon that the stapler caused damage during surgery. However, in other cases, complications from this defective device take longer to discover. Sometimes the damage is not discovered until a follow-up visit, trip to the Emergency Room, or a later surgery. 

New York State limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit, so do not delay in reaching out to Douglas & London to discuss your claim during a free case review.

How Much Are Surgical Stapler Lawsuits Worth?

This isn’t the first time our firm has successfully faced Johnson & Johnson due to damages caused by a defective stapler. Firm partner Gary J. Douglas obtained a jury verdict of $8.5 million against Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Ethicon Endosurgery, on behalf of the family of a 45-year-old man who died after a staple gun misfired during a weight-loss surgery.

Douglas & London defective products senior attorney Virginia Anello also reached a significant confidential settlement on behalf of the family of a 31-year-old father of two who untimely passed away due to the malfunctioning of a staple gun during a lobectomy procedure.  

In general, surgical stapler lawsuits can compensate injured parties for:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Loss of enjoyment in life
  • Pain and suffering
  • Punitive damages designed to punish the manufacturer for gross negligence
  • Funeral and burial expenses (in fatal cases)

See How a Surgical Stapler Lawyer Can Help

A defective medical device lawsuit can put you in the best position to recover compensation for the full cost of your injuries. If you or a loved one underwent surgery and later experienced complications or underwent additional corrective procedures that you suspect may have been caused by staple-related issues, call Douglas & London at (800) 963-4444 or simply chat with us on our website or fill out the online contact form.  Our consultations are free, and you owe us no attorney fees unless we win your case.