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. Jennifer Morgan says:

    Please add me to the class action. I have used the so clean for 2 years now and i sometimes wake up with chest pains and trouble breathing plus nasal issues and headaches. The smell is very unpleasant that I have to let it run for a few minutes to get the smell out.

  2. Mary Tyson says:

    I have the recalled CPAP machine and I purchased the So Clean CPAP cleaning machine. The chemicals used to clean was so harsh and corrosive that I would leave the machine running after cleaning to blow out as much of the chemicals. Had to stop using the machine because of poor breathing.

  3. Michelle Barry says:

    Bought this for my husband 3 years ago

  4. Maria says:

    Add me I have a so clean too

  5. John B Kownacki says:

    I have had a Phillips CPAC machine for 20 years and purchased a SoClean machine years ago. I am having difficulty breathing, cough, nasal irritation, or other respiratory issues since using these machines. Be careful on buying these machines.

  6. James Rhinehart says:

    I have resmed Cpap and been using Soclean for years and I always have to start my morning off with a breathing treatment. I am disabled veteran with asthma and sleep apnea among other problems. Please add me.

  7. John Austin says:

    I was hospitalized in October of 2021 for chest pains and shortness of breath. They performed an echo-cardiogram, stress test, and a Cardiac Catheterization and couldn’t find anything wrong with my heart. I am still having chest pains and trouble taking deep breaths. I have used the So-Clean for almost three years now. I too have breathed in the strong chemical smell after sanitizing the CPAP machine with the So-Clean. My ResMed Airsense 10 started making a loud noise. I sent it back to the factory for repairs and they discovered that the So-Clean had damaged the machine due to the high temperatures. The cost to repair the machine is over $550.00.

  8. Debbie Daniel says:

    I have the SoClean and clean my Resmed CPAP. I’ve used it for 2 years and have been short of breath.

  9. Sandra Saucier says:

    I have used Phillips CPAP and So Clean for a year and have had shortness of breath and cough. Please add me to this lawsuit.

  10. Sharon Davis says:

    I use Phillips and the SoClean and developed COPD/asthma/bronchitis. I want to join the Texas Lawsuit of Wheeler. Thanks.

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