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

  1. Dan Rainey says:

    I use the recalled Philips Dreamstation CPAP machine. I also use the SoClean to clean my machine. I registered my machine for replacement through Philips. It is obvious they are trying to blame the use of SoClean 100% for the problem. I would appreciate guidance.

  2. Arthur RAPHAEL says:

    Live in Texas and use ResMed CPAP machine which is cleaned by SO Fresh Cleaning machine. Need advice from attorney handling case to determine if my claim is covered in a pending class action or what action should be undertaken. My wife also has the same equipment she uses and has problems too. So she has claim as well.

  3. Gregory Alan Brown says:

    I have used the Phillips CPAP Auto with the Soclean cleaner for years and I had cancer and breathing problems. Been to the doctor multiple times.

  4. Denise Love says:

    I have been using so clean for the past two years and was waking up with headaches and sore throats as well as lack of sleep within a couple months after starting to use that. I recently went to have a sleep study and I was informed that so clean was not good to use because of the ozone found left in the machines. My machine was destroyed possibly by the old zones and my lack of sleep and headaches were awful. I now have a new machine but no so clean machine that I’m using and I’m sleeping much better and have not had any headaches. But It makes me wonder what might have happened to me having used the ozone machine .

  5. Carmen Pena says:

    I have been using the SoClean with my Resmed Airsense 10. I had a perpetual cold and numerous upper respiratory infections. I stopped using it a few days ago when I found out about the class action lawsuit. It’s been two days, and I now wake up with no congestion and able to breathe freely.

  6. Stephanie Walker says:

    Yes

  7. Angela Richardson says:

    I have been using a So Clean machine for the past 2 yrs.

  8. Rachel says:

    Yessss !

  9. Kelli E Baker says:

    I use the affected CPAP and a SoClean to sanitize it. Add me

  10. Linda Frew says:

    I have been using the SoClean for several years with my CPAP

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