Abbott lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Kim Doherty filed a lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories and Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc., also known as Abbott Medical.
- Why: Doherty alleges Abbott’s spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices have defective leads and implantable pulse generators (IPGs) that can fail, causing permanent nerve damage.
- Where: The Abbott lawsuit was filed in Pennsylvania federal court.
- How to get help: If you or a loved one experienced complications or injuries after receiving an SCS, you may qualify for a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit.
A Pennsylvania woman has filed a lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories and Abbott Medical, alleging defective spinal cord stimulation devices caused her worsening pain, neurological injuries and other health complications.
According to plaintiff Kim Doherty, Abbott manufactures and distributes spinal cord stimulation systems, including the Proclaim XR, Proclaim, Eterna and FlexBurst360 systems. The devices are designed to deliver electrical stimulation to the spinal cord to treat chronic pain.
Doherty alleges the devices’ electrical leads and implantable pulse generators have an unacceptably high rate of failure. The complaint claims lead fractures, insulation breaches, lead migration and IPG or battery malfunctions can interrupt therapy — resulting in uncontrolled electrical stimulation, burns, nerve irritation and potentially permanent neurological damage.
The complaint cites post-market data and published medical literature concerning SCS complications. It alleges lead migration and fracture rates for SCS devices, including Abbott’s, have been reported between 13.2% and 22.6% and claims some complications can require surgical intervention.
The Abbott lawsuit also cites U.S. Food and Drug Administration actions involving SCS devices, including recalls and warnings related to device failures.
Abbott representatives allegedly downplayed device risks
Doherty alleges Abbott’s sales and clinical representatives went beyond providing technical support and participated in programming and reprogramming her SCS device, made treatment recommendations and advised her about whether to keep the device implanted.
According to the lawsuit, Abbott representatives allegedly told Doherty that the device would provide reliable, long-term pain relief and that reprogramming would address complications.
The lawsuit alleges the representatives failed to adequately disclose risks involving lead failure, IPG or battery failure and permanent nerve damage.
Doherty says she was implanted with an Abbott SCS device in April 2019. Beginning in 2020, she allegedly experienced a loss of pain relief, worsening pain and additional symptoms.
She underwent a revision procedure in August 2021 involving an Abbott Proclaim XR device and ultimately had the device removed in February 2024 after experiencing additional complications, according to the complaint.
The Abbott lawsuit alleges Doherty’s symptoms worsened while Abbott representatives attributed her complications to suboptimal device settings and recommended additional reprogramming rather than removal. She claims the device remained implanted while allegedly causing uncontrolled electrical stimulation associated with worsening nerve damage.
Doherty’s lawsuit asserts claims for strict liability based on manufacturing and design defects, failure to warn, corporate negligence, vicarious liability, negligence per se, negligent supervision, negligent training, negligent retention, fraudulent concealment, fraudulent misrepresentation and negligent misrepresentation.
She seeks compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, interest and other relief in addition to a jury trial.
Meanwhile, Abbott is facing a class action lawsuit alleging its FreeStyle Libre 2 glucose monitor is defective and that inaccurate readings may lead to life-threatening consequences.
What do you think about the allegations concerning Abbott’s spinal cord stimulation devices? Let us know in the comments.
Doherty is represented by Dena R. Young of Spotlight Justice PLLC and Carasusana B. Wall and Ameena Alauddin of Bullock Legal Group LLC.
The Abbott lawsuit is Doherty v. Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc. a/k/a Abbott Medical, et al., Case No. 2:26-cv-07195-TJS, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
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