Were you harmed by a spinal cord stimulator implant?

Learn about reported injuries and ongoing lawsuits involving these devices.

Did you receive a spinal cord stimulator implant within the past 6 years and experience complications? You are not alone, and you may have legal options. To find out if you qualify to join a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit, fill out the form on this page.

While spinal cord stimulators can be a helpful treatment option for some patients, these devices may also carry serious risks. Reports of severe, life-altering complications have raised concerns about the safety of certain spinal cord stimulator implants.

If you or a loved one experienced complications or injuries after receiving a spinal cord stimulator, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit.

Spinal cord stimulator lawsuit updates: February 2026

Several notable developments in spinal cord stimulator lawsuits and related investigations have occurred in recent years, including:

October 2025: A spinal cord stimulator lawsuit alleges that Boston Scientific’s WaveWriter Alpha malfunctioned, forcing a patient to undergo multiple revision surgeries before the device was ultimately removed. Around this time, attorneys began discussing whether similar claims could be consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL).

July 2025: Manufacturers see a rise in legal claims involving rechargeable spinal cord stimulators. Patients allege battery failures caused severe pain, device malfunction and the need for additional surgeries. In a separate July filing, a lawsuit names both the device manufacturer and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), claiming the agency approved certain spinal cord stimulators without adequate safety testing.

March 2025: Multiple patients file lawsuits against spinal cord stimulator manufacturers, alleging the devices caused serious health complications, including worsening pain, nerve damage and the need for corrective surgeries.

September 2023: Abbott recalls approximately 200,000 Proclaim and Infinity neurostimulation devices after receiving numerous reports of device failures, including unexpected system shutdowns.

September 2020: Following an in-depth review, the FDA reports receiving more than 107,000 Medical Device Reports related to spinal cord stimulators between 2016 and 2020. These reports include 428 deaths and thousands of injury complaints.

November 2018: An NBC News investigation reveals more than 80,000 spinal cord stimulator injury reports filed with the FDA. In response to the findings, the FDA announces plans to strengthen oversight and regulation of certain medical devices.

What is a spinal cord stimulator?

A spinal cord stimulator is an implantable medical device designed to help relieve chronic pain by delivering electrical impulses to the spinal cord. These impulses are intended to disrupt pain signals before they reach the brain.

Although spinal cord stimulators can provide therapeutic benefits for some patients, they have also been linked to serious complications. As injury reports have increased, regulators have continued to investigate the safety of these devices.

What injuries are linked to spinal cord stimulators?

Patients who undergo spinal cord stimulator implantation may experience a range of complications including, but are not limited to:

• Temporary discomfort or irritation
• Burns near the implant site
• Painful or unexpected electrical shocks
• Lead wire fracture, migration or device movement
• Worsening or unresolved pain
• Dizziness, fainting or other neurological symptoms
• Urinary incontinence or urinary retention
• Gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying)
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Uncontrollable diarrhea or fecal incontinence
• Cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat

In some cases, these complications may require revision surgery to repair or remove the device.

If you experienced one or more of these issues, or if your spinal cord stimulator failed to provide pain relief, you may be eligible to pursue compensation through a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit.

Has a spinal cord stimulator settlement been reached?

While there have been settlements and verdicts involving spinal cord stimulators, most of these cases have been limited to medical malpractice lawsuits or disputes involving specific surgical complications. These outcomes typically stem from single-patient incidents and do not reflect a broad product liability settlement involving spinal cord stimulator manufacturers.

At this time, there has not been a large, nationwide spinal cord stimulator settlement covering defective devices or widespread injuries.

How to join the spinal cord stimulator lawsuit

If you received a spinal cord stimulator implant and experienced complications or injuries, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.

As a first step, complete the form on this page to find out whether you qualify to pursue a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit. There is no obligation to proceed, and submitting the form allows attorneys to review your potential claim.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.