Spinal cord stimulators have become widely used for treating chronic back pain and nerve-related conditions, offering an alternative to long-term medication use or additional surgery. However, as use of stimulators has grown, so have reports of complications, device failures, and patient injuries, leading to a growing number of nationwide spinal cord stimulator lawsuits involving several major medical device manufacturers.

What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator?

“Spinal cord stimulators” are Class III implantable neuromodulation systems that deliver electrical impulses to the spinal cord to manage chronic pain. They include an implantable pulse generator, one or more electrical leads placed near the spinal cord, and an external controller to adjust stimulation levels. Stimulators apply electrical impulses to the spinal cord’s dorsal columns, altering pain signals before they reach the brain to provide relief for patients whose pain has not responded to conventional treatments.

Despite their intended benefits, spinal cord stimulators carry significant risks, including device migration, neurological injury, worsening pain, and autonomic dysfunction. Due to these risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies them as Class III medical devices, the highest risk category under federal law.

What Problems Have Been Reported?

While increasingly used to treat chronic pain, widespread use of spinal cord stimulators has also brought greater attention to safety risks. Studies estimate that approximately 50,000 stimulators are implanted each year in the United States, and the FDA reports more than 100,000 injuries annually. With this level of use, even a relatively small rate of complications can affect a significant number of patients. Commonly reported complications include:

• Device failure or battery issues
• Migration of electrical leads
• Painful shocks or burns
• Numbness or loss of motor control
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Gastroparesis (stomach paralysis)
• Incontinence
• Cardiac-related symptoms
• Erectile dysfunction
• Ineffective pain relief

In many cases, patients require revision surgeries to repair or replace the device, which can introduce additional risks and costs.

What Medical Device Companies Are Involved?

Several major manufacturers dominate the spinal cord stimulator market, including:

• Medtronic
• Abbott Laboratories (including devices previously sold under St. Jude Medical)
• Nevro Corp
• Boston Scientific

Lawsuits have been filed against some of these companies alleging defects and inadequate warnings related to their devices.

What Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuit?

Spinal cord stimulator lawsuits are still in early stages, but early filings raise several key claims alleging that manufacturers may have:

• Failed to adequately warn patients and physicians about known risks
• Manufactured devices that did not meet safety or design standards
• Misrepresented the safety and effectiveness of their products
• Violated federal regulations governing Class III medical devices
• Provided improper guidance through sales representatives involved in the implantation process

Some cases also raise concerns about post-market monitoring and whether manufacturers responded appropriately to reports of device failures.

Given the volume of reported injuries and the number of patients receiving these devices each year, many legal observers anticipate that cases filed in federal courts could eventually be consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL).

Why Are Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuits Increasing?

Several factors are contributing to increased scrutiny surrounding spinal cord stimulators:

• Growing use of spinal cord stimulators as a pain management tool
• Rising number of reported complications and adverse events
• Increased awareness among patients about device-related injuries
• Ongoing litigation that may bring additional internal company information to light

As more patients come forward and more data becomes available, both the medical and legal communities are paying closer attention to the risks associated with these devices. Many patients report never being fully informed of the device’s dangers before implantation. As a result, more injured patients are pursuing lawsuits to seek compensation and accountability.

Spinal cord stimulator lawsuits differ from traditional medical malpractice claims not only in the severity of the injuries, but in the regulatory and design history behind these devices. Rather than focusing on surgical error or isolated malfunction, many claims examine how these devices were approved, how they evolved over time, and whether patients were ever given the level of safety testing they were led to expect.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for this Kind of Lawsuit?

Spinal cord stimulator lawsuits are not based solely on a poor outcome or an expected side effect. Claims typically focus on whether the device failed to perform as intended or exposed patients to not fully disclosed risks. Importantly, eligibility does not depend on whether the device is still implanted, how quickly symptoms appeared, or if the complication is described as “rare” by the manufacturer. You may have grounds for a claim if you experienced:

• Serious complications after implantation, including infection, burns, painful shocks, or neurological symptoms
• Little to no meaningful pain relief
• Need for revision surgery or device removal
• Bowel, bladder, or other autonomic complications
• Device malfunction or unexpected performance issues
• Inadequate warning about known risks

Some of the most significant claims involve patients who underwent multiple procedures or required full device removal due to ongoing complications. In more severe cases, families may also have claims if complications led to permanent disability or death.

At its core, these lawsuits examine whether manufacturers properly tested their devices, accurately represented the risks and benefits, and complied with safety regulations throughout the product’s lifecycle.

Why Choose RPWB for Your Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuit?

Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC has an experienced team of spinal cord stimulator lawyers who are currently accepting the cases of people nationwide who have experienced complications with their spinal cord stimulators. We have established a national reputation for handling complex, high-stakes litigation, including large-scale product liability and class-action cases against some of the most powerful corporations in the world.

Our lawyers:

• Lead national litigation against pharmaceutical drug companies and medical device manufacturers
• Hold leadership roles in numerous MDL involving pharmaceutical products, medical devices, and widespread consumer harm
• Have decades of knowledge and experience in medical malpractice and product liability claims
• Regularly lead and contribute to landmark litigation across the country
• Prepare every case for trial, strengthening leverage, credibility, and results
• Are licensed across multiple states and federal courts

Our work exposes misconduct and drives accountability. We have contributed to industry-wide changes, public health improvements, and legal precedents that shape how similar claims are handled nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuits

Am I eligible if I was injured by a trial run spinal cord stimulator?

Unfortunately, only those with permanently implanted spinal cord stimulators are eligible at this time.

How much money could I receive from a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit?

Compensation depends on the extent of injuries, medical costs, future care, and manufacturer culpability.

Can I file a lawsuit if I had revision surgery to replace my spinal cord stimulator?

Possibly, if the injuries caused by the defective or ineffective stimulator are permanent. Please call us for more information.

How much does a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit cost?

At RPWB, qualifying cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no fees unless we secure compensation in your case.

Harmed by Your Spinal Cord Stimulator? Contact our South Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC Today

Complications from a spinal cord stimulator can be overwhelming, especially when the outcome is far different from what you were led to expect. If you or a loved one were harmed, you may be eligible for compensation. Our South Carolina medical malpractice lawyers at Rogers, Patrick, Westbrook & Brickman LLC are here to help. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 843-727-6500 or submit our online form. With office locations in Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Aiken, and Columbia, South Carolina, we gladly serve clients throughout the state.