California residents who underwent Allergan Lap Band surgery expecting a safe weight loss solution are now facing serious health complications, additional surgeries, and substantial medical expenses. This supposedly minimal-risk procedure has left many patients worse off than before, dealing with painful complications and ongoing health issues.
The Allergan Lap Band, marketed as a minimally invasive bariatric option, uses an adjustable silicone band placed around the upper portion of the stomach to restrict food intake. Unfortunately, California patients have experienced severe complications including band slippage, erosion into stomach tissue, infection, and device failure, often requiring emergency removal and corrective surgeries.
If you or someone you love has suffered complications after receiving an Allergan Lap Band, you may be entitled to compensation. Our California legal team is ready to evaluate your case and fight for your rights.
Lap Band Design Flaws
The Allergan LAP-BAND® System was promoted as a safer alternative to permanent bariatric surgeries like gastric bypass. However, this adjustable gastric banding system has proven highly problematic for many California patients, with serious complications developing months or even years after implantation.
Medical research shows concerning failure rates, with studies indicating up to 50% of patients require band removal within 10 years due to complications or ineffectiveness. Research published in JAMA Surgery found that nearly one-third of patients required revision surgeries within just 5 years of implantation.
Despite mounting evidence of these problems, Allergan continued aggressive marketing while minimizing risks to both patients and healthcare providers. Internal documents suggest the company was aware of these high complication rates yet failed to adequately warn about the likelihood of serious health issues.
Walter Clark Legal Group has seen firsthand how these complications devastate lives – creating chronic pain, nutritional deficiencies, additional surgeries, and substantial financial burdens through medical expenses and lost income.
Our California Allergan Lap Band attorneys are committed to holding Allergan accountable for this defective medical device and fighting for the compensation victims need to rebuild their lives after suffering these serious health complications.
Health Consequences
California patients have reported numerous severe complications following Allergan Lap Band surgery. Our Allergan Lap Band lawyers are investigating cases involving these dangerous outcomes:
The silicone band can gradually erode through stomach tissue, causing severe infection, pain, and requiring emergency surgery. This potentially life-threatening complication often causes permanent damage.
The band can shift from its original position, causing severe pain, vomiting, and inability to eat. This painful complication often requires emergency surgical intervention to prevent serious harm.
The access port used for band adjustments can flip, disconnect, or become infected. These issues often require surgical intervention, additional recovery time, and increased medical costs.
The narrowed stomach opening created by the band can become completely blocked, creating a medical emergency with severe pain, vomiting, and inability to consume even liquids.
Band complications often prevent proper nutrient absorption, leading to severe vitamin deficiencies, hair loss, fatigue, and immune system dysfunction requiring ongoing medical management.
These complications often require emergency treatment, revision surgeries, and lengthy recovery periods. Our California Allergan Lap Band attorneys are dedicated to helping victims receive full compensation for these life-altering medical problems.
Legal Claims Available
Walter Clark Legal Group is pursuing multiple legal strategies against Allergan for their defective Lap Band device. Our California Allergan Lap Band attorneys are building cases based on:
The Allergan Lap Band contains fundamental design flaws that make serious complications virtually inevitable for many patients, creating an unreasonably dangerous medical device.
Allergan failed to adequately warn patients and physicians about known risks, preventing informed consent and exposing unsuspecting patients to severe health complications.
Allergan aggressively marketed their device while downplaying known risks and exaggerating benefits, prioritizing profits over patient safety in their communications.
Evidence suggests manufacturing problems may have increased complication rates, with some devices produced with substandard materials or inconsistent specifications.
Our experienced California Allergan Lap Band lawyers understand the complex medical and legal issues involved in these cases. We’re dedicated to holding Allergan accountable while helping victims secure the compensation they deserve.
Qualifying for Compensation
If you or a loved one has suffered complications from an Allergan Lap Band, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Walter Clark Legal Group is currently evaluating California cases that meet these criteria:
- You received an Allergan Lap Band as a weight loss treatment
- You experienced complications such as band slippage, erosion, infection, port problems, or obstruction
- You required additional medical intervention, including potential revision surgery or band removal
- Your complications resulted in ongoing health issues, additional expenses, or lost income
Time limits apply to filing Allergan Lap Band claims in California, so it’s crucial to have your case evaluated promptly. Potential compensation in these cases may include:
- Payment for medical expenses, including removal and corrective surgeries
- Reimbursement for lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering
- Potential punitive damages in cases of egregious misconduct
Our California Allergan Lap Band attorneys will thoroughly assess your situation through a detailed review of your medical records and treatment history to determine if you have a valid claim against Allergan.
Next Steps
If you’ve experienced Allergan Lap Band complications, taking these steps can protect both your health and legal rights:
Seek immediate medical attention for any Lap Band issues. Proper treatment is essential for your health and provides crucial documentation for your legal claim.
Keep detailed records of all medical visits, treatments, expenses, and how complications have affected your daily life. This documentation strengthens your case.
Consider the full scope of your losses: medical bills, lost income, pain, emotional distress, and future needs. Our attorneys will identify all potential compensation.
California has strict deadlines for filing medical device claims. Contacting our Allergan Lap Band lawyers promptly ensures your rights are protected before time expires.
California Representation
Walter Clark Legal Group has the experience and resources to take on Allergan and fight for the compensation you deserve. Our Coachella Valley Allergan Lap Band attorneys work on a contingency basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Don’t let time limits prevent you from seeking justice. Take our quick eligibility check today to determine if you qualify for an Allergan Lap Band lawsuit.