Who do I call for more help?
AS TIME COULD BE RUNNING OUT, please call toll free today at 1-800-632-1404 today for a no obligation and no cost case evaluation. This offer applies to anyone around the world.
What are the signs or symptoms of a device failure?
For adults with an Advanced Bionics HiRes90k, Clarion, Clarion 1.2, C1.2, Clarion II or CII cochlear implant, you may experience crackling, popping, buzzing or humming noises inside your head. You may also notice the device works intermittently, starting and stopping without warning. The device may not function appropriately until the volume is increased. You may experience facial pain including shocks. For children, it may be difficult to determine if the device is working or failing, as children cannot clearly explain the symptoms they are experiencing. Watch for your child frequently taking his or her device on and off their head. Your child may also point to the device, tap their head, or become violent, actually throwing the device or refusing to wear the device. You may also notice a change in your child’s ability to hear. If any of these symptoms seem evident, you should contact your or your child’s audiologist for help, and also contact us.
What if I have been contacted by Advanced Bionics after a device failure?
It is extremely likely Advanced Bionics will contact you after there is a device failure. We recommend that you should not sign anything without contacting an attorney to review the document, as the signature could have permanent restrictions on your right to recover cash compensation.
If I accepted a check or money from Advanced Bionics, do I still have a claim?
Possibly. If you accepted a check from Advanced Bionics, we recommend you contact us immediately for help, as your particular case could still be pursued. If you were paid for expenses, lost wages, travel costs or the like, it is likely you have not released Advanced Bionics from liability.
What time period is at issue for claims against Advanced Bionics?
For the Clarion CII cochlear implant device, we are accepting cases for surgery implant dates from 1999 to 2003. For the HiRes90k cochlear implant device, we are accepting cases for surgery implant dates from July 2003 through May 2006.
Did the government find a problem with the Advanced Bionics HiRes90k?
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Warning Letter to Advanced Bionics in February 2005 outlining observations the FDA found while inspecting the Advanced Bionics facility. A copy of the Warning Letter is located here. In 2007, the FDA filed a civil administrative action against Advanced Bionics alleging that the company sold adulterated cochlear implants and allowed those adulterated cochlear implants to be implanted in both children and adults. A copy of the complaint of the FDA action is found here. The FDA settled its case against Advanced Bionics. Advanced Bionics agreed to pay $1.1 million dollars in exchange for the FDA dismissing its case alleging that Advanced Bionics sold adulterated cochlear implants for implantation in children and adults. Jeff Greiner, the CEO of Advanced Bionics at the time, agreed to personally pay $75,000.00 to settle all personal claims against him. A copy of the settlement agreement can be found here.
Have we (the lawyers) filed other lawsuits against Advanced Bionics?
Yes. The attorneys that will review your case or your child’s case have appeared in cases and filed actions in both federal and state courts across the United States, and represent children and adults across the globe in North America, South America, and Europe.
Will Advanced Bionics stop servicing my device or my child’s device if I file a claim?
No. We have many clients who have elected to be re-implanted with an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant, and Advanced Bionics still provides service and support to these persons. If you are concerned about the implications of filing a claim against the company, we encourage you to contact us today at 1-800-632-1404 .
What types of damages are recoverable?
You could be entitled to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, travel costs, pain and suffering, and more.
Do I have to have money up front to talk to an attorney?
No. There is no money down and no money required for us to talk to you about your case or your child’s case. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that if you do not recover damages from a settlement or verdict at trial, you owe us nothing.
Is there a particular location for which you are accepting claims?
No. We will review claims on behalf of all children and adults in all fifty states in the United States. We are also reviewing claims for persons located internationally, including in Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Europe and Asia.
