Christina Spicer  |  September 22, 2021

Category: Legal News

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CPAP equipment Philips CPAP SoClean
(Photo Credit: Mats Wiklund/Shutterstock)

Philips, SoClean CPAP Equipment Class Action Lawsuits Overview: 

  • Who: A Texas man has lodged a pair of class action lawsuits against CPAP equipment maker, Koninklijke Philips, as well as SoClean, the makers of a CPAP cleaning machine.  
  • Why: The plaintiff accuses each of the companies of exposing CPAP users to dangerous toxins, including the foam used in recalled Philip’s devices and unstable gas in SoClean’s sanitizer.
  • Where: The litigation is pending in Texas federal court on behalf of residents of that state. 

A Texas man has lodged a pair of class action lawsuits claiming continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment made by Koninklijke Philips and cleaner made by SoClean exposed him and others to dangerous toxins.  

Lead plaintiff, William Wheeler, lodged the complaints Monday in the wake of a June recall on Philips CPAP equipment. In addition to now owning a Philips Respironics DreamStation rendered unusable by the recall, the device he used to clean his CPAP equipment, SoClean, also exposed him to toxic chemicals.  

Wheeler seeks to represent other Texans who either used SoClean or have recalled Philips CPAP equipment.  

CPAP Equipment Exposes Users to Harmful Chemicals 

Philips recalled its CPAP, Bi-Level PAP, and mechanical ventilator devices containing PE-PUR Foam were recalled due to the risk of foam degradation. According to the recall, foam particles could enter into the device’s pathway and be inhaled by CPAP users.  

Wheeler says that he and other CPAP users have been instructed to not use their Philips equipment, but have not been offered a replacement or a refund.  

Further, Wheeler claims that he and others were exposed to toxins while using the breathing devices prior to the CPAP recall. The particles released by the recalled CPAP machines can cause nausea, headache, asthma, and other adverse effects, as well as cancer, claims the class action lawsuit.  

SoClean CPAP Equipment Cleaner Uses Toxic Gas 

In his other class action lawsuit, Wheeler claims that the SoClean products he used to clean his now-recalled CPAP equipment may have also exposed him to toxins as well.  

SoClean, the company that dominates the market for breathing device sanitizers, allegedly touts the use of ozone to clean CPAP masks and hoses. The company claims its product is “safe” and “natural.” Ozone is a dangerous, toxic gas, claims the lawsuit and the SoClean system allows the gas to escape to be inhaled by the CPCP user.  

Wheeler is demanding damages for himself and other Texas residents who used recalled Philips CPAP equipment, as well as those who used SoClean to sanitize Philips or other breathing assistance devices. In addition, the plaintiff wants Philips to provide free medical monitoring and a health assessment to those with recalled breathing assistance devices.  

Both Philips and SoClean face other CPAP users who say that they have been exposed to harmful chemicals due to the faulty equipment. Earlier this month, a Mississippi man alleged that SoClean falsely represents that its devices use “no water or chemicals” or “no harsh chemicals” to clean CPAP equipment, despite using ozone gas – a harsh chemical that causes respiratory problems in humans.  

Philips is facing mounting legal action after its CPAP equipment recall. The recall left physicians and consumers confused and added on to a supply shortage for breathing devices which was already being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Do you own recalled CPAP equipment? Have you used SoClean on your CPAP machine? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below! 

The plaintiff is represented by Rex A. Sharp and Ruth Anne French-Hodson of Sharp Law, John M. Deakle, Russell L Johnson, and Ronald V. Johnson of Deakle-Johnson Law Firm, PLLC, and Patrick W. Pendley and Andrea Barient of Pendley, Baudin & Coffin.  

The Philips CPAP Equipment Class Action Lawsuit is Wheeler v. Koninklijke Philips N.V., et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-00835; the SoClean CPAP Equipment Class Action Lawsuit is Wheeler v. SoClean, Inc., Case No. 1:21-cv-00837, both in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, Austin Division.  


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37 thoughts onPhilips CPAP Equipment and SoClean CPAP Sanitizer Accused of Exposing Customers to Dangerous Toxins in New Class Action

  1. ALLEN MCLEAN says:

    Hospitalized twice with hemoptysis. chronic cough with still occasionally having light hempotysis. Still pissed off.

  2. Harry S Bratton says:

    I ditched my Soclean device as I was having a black rubber substance entering the water tank and sticking to the internal perimeter along the folds of the plastic which was very difficult to clean. In conjunction with the rubber substance, I woke up every morning coughing heavily. I removed the SoClean so called cleaning device and my caughing was greatly reduced but has been alleviated in entirety.

  3. THOMAS D. HUGGINS says:

    I have used a Philips Respironics System One Remstar Auto A-Flex SleepMapper in conjunction with a SoClean machine for several years. Upon learning of the recalls I quit using the SoClean Machine; respiratory problems I was having immediately started getting better. I still use the CPAP machine though, but I am going to buy a new unit of a different brand. I believe both machines have caused me significant heart and lung damage. I ma have to stqrt my own lawsuit, as I don’t think my machine is covered by the recall, but I do believe it has been injurious to my health. And I have no doubt that the SoClean machine has definitely harmed me.

  4. Clayton says:

    I have had a SO CLEAN IN USE FOR MY RECALLED CPAP MACHINES FOR 7 YEARS. I have had my medical problems. Please add me to the lawsuite.

  5. Lisa Harris says:

    I have the CPAP on Phillips recall.And I also have the soclean CPAP cleaner.I don’t know how to get on the list for the law suit.

  6. Tina K Hamilton says:

    I have been using So Clean for over three years and have developed several issues listed in this such as throat problems and breathing issues and more. Please add me to the list.

  7. Marcia Potts says:

    I have used my So Clean for possibly 4-5 years. Since I saw this Class-Action lawsuit I have stopped using it. I thought that the Ozone smell meant that the unit had cleaned my CPAP and hoses. I have Asthma now. I may be on the Class Action list, I’m not sure. if filling this form out enters you or not, I am unable to pull up a Class Action entry form.

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