What Makes the Allergan Lap Band’s Design Dangerous?
The Allergan Lap Band system involves placing an adjustable silicone band around the upper portion of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. This restriction was intended to limit food intake and create earlier feelings of fullness, promoting weight loss without the permanence of gastric bypass surgery.
However, medical studies reveal troubling patterns of failure and complications. Research published in leading medical journals shows up to 80% of patients experience device-related complications, with approximately half requiring complete removal within 10 years of implantation.
North Carolina patients report Allergan failed to adequately disclose these significant risks. Instead, the company aggressively promoted their Lap Band as a safe alternative to traditional weight loss surgery while downplaying the likelihood of serious complications.
Our North Carolina Allergan Lap Band attorneys at Brent Adams & Associates have seen firsthand how these complications devastate lives—creating chronic pain, nutritional deficiencies, and financial hardship from additional surgeries and ongoing medical treatments.
Allergan must be held accountable for putting profits before patient safety. Evidence suggests the company knew about these high failure rates yet continued marketing their device to desperate people seeking weight loss solutions.
Devastating Allergan Lap Band Complications
North Carolina patients have reported numerous serious complications after Allergan Lap Band surgery. Our Allergan Lap Band lawyers are investigating cases involving these dangerous conditions:
The silicone band can shift from its intended position, causing severe pain, vomiting, and food blockages. This dangerous complication often requires emergency surgery to reposition or remove the device.
The access port used for band adjustments frequently becomes infected, creating pain and systemic health risks. These infections typically require antibiotics, hospitalization, and sometimes complete system removal.
Pressure from the band can cause stomach tissue erosion and perforation. These serious complications risk peritonitis, sepsis, and other life-threatening conditions requiring immediate surgical intervention.
The band system can leak, deflate, or mechanically fail, rendering it ineffective. These failures often necessitate additional surgeries to repair or remove the malfunctioning device components.
Many patients develop chronic reflux, vomiting, and inability to tolerate foods. These ongoing digestive issues can persist despite band adjustments and sometimes continue even after device removal.
North Carolina patients experiencing these complications deserve compensation for additional surgeries, ongoing medical care, and diminished quality of life. Brent Adams & Associates’ experienced Allergan Lap Band attorneys are committed to securing justice for victims.
Legal Basis for Lap Band Claims
Our North Carolina Allergan Lap Band lawyers are pursuing several legal arguments against Allergan. These claims form the foundation of our approach to securing compensation:
Evidence suggests the Allergan Lap Band is fundamentally flawed. The high complication rates indicate inherent design problems that Allergan knew or should have known about before marketing to North Carolina patients.
Allergan failed to properly disclose known risks to patients and doctors. Many North Carolina patients report receiving minimal information about the significant likelihood of complications requiring device removal.
Allergan aggressively promoted their Lap Band while minimizing documented risks. Marketing materials emphasized benefits while glossing over the high failure rates reported in medical literature.
Quality control problems during production may have increased complication rates. Some devices appear to have been manufactured with substandard materials or inconsistent specifications, elevating patient risk.
Brent Adams & Associates’ experienced North Carolina Allergan Lap Band attorneys understand the complex medical and legal issues involved in these cases. We’re dedicated to holding Allergan accountable for the harm caused to North Carolina patients.
Do You Qualify for Compensation?
If you or a loved one received an Allergan Lap Band and experienced complications, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Our North Carolina Allergan Lap Band lawyers are evaluating cases that meet these criteria:
- You underwent Allergan Lap Band surgery for weight loss
- You suffered complications such as band erosion, slippage, infection, obstruction, or port issues
- You required additional medical treatments, revision surgeries, or band removal
- Your complications resulted in hospitalization, ongoing medical expenses, or lost work time
North Carolina imposes strict deadlines for filing medical device claims, making prompt evaluation of your case essential. Our experienced Allergan Lap Band attorneys will assess your specific situation and explain your legal options.
Potential compensation in these cases typically includes:
- Coverage for all medical expenses related to complications
- Reimbursement for lost income and reduced earning capacity
- Compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering
- Potential punitive damages against Allergan
Our North Carolina Allergan Lap Band lawyers work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case. We’ll handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on your health and recovery.
Next Steps in an Allergan Lap Band Claim
If you’ve suffered from Allergan Lap Band complications, these actions will help protect your health and strengthen your legal claim:
If you’re experiencing Lap Band complications, seek medical attention immediately. Proper documentation of your condition creates essential evidence for your case against Allergan.
Maintain all medical records related to your Lap Band surgery and subsequent complications. These documents help establish the connection between the device and your health issues.
Document all costs associated with your Lap Band complications, including medical bills, prescription expenses, and lost wages. These records help calculate your total damages.
Contact our North Carolina Allergan Lap Band attorneys promptly. North Carolina’s statute of limitations strictly limits the time to file your claim against Allergan.
Time limitations restrict how long you have to file a claim. The Allergan Lap Band lawyers at Brent Adams & Associates can quickly determine if you qualify for compensation through our simple case evaluation process.
Free Case Review
Brent Adams & Associates’ experienced North Carolina Allergan Lap Band lawyers are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. We understand these complications have caused unexpected suffering and financial hardship.
Take our quick eligibility assessment to determine if you qualify for an Allergan Lap Band lawsuit.