Baclofen Pain Pump Defects Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered serious harm due to a malfunctioning Baclofen pain pump, you may be entitled to compensation. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, our experienced product liability attorneys are here to help you seek justice and accountability from negligent manufacturers and medical device companies. Defective medical devices can change lives forever—and you shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s mistake.
What Is a Baclofen Pain Pump?
A Baclofen pain pump, also known as an intrathecal pump, is a small medical device implanted under the skin. It delivers the muscle relaxant Baclofen directly into the spinal fluid to treat severe spasticity—which is commonly experienced by individuals with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, or other neurological disorders.
The pump is typically programmed to release controlled doses of medication, minimizing side effects compared to oral Baclofen. However, when these pumps or their components malfunction, the consequences can be devastating, leading to overdose, withdrawal, neurological damage, or even death.
Known Issues with Baclofen Pumps
Despite receiving FDA approval, Baclofen pain pumps have been associated with a troubling number of malfunctions and safety concerns. These devices, while designed to provide targeted pain and spasticity relief, can pose serious risks when they fail to function properly. Common defects and complications include:
- Pump Malfunction: One of the most dangerous failures occurs when the pump delivers too much or too little Baclofen. An overdose can cause life-threatening symptoms such as respiratory depression, extreme drowsiness, or coma. Conversely, an underdose or sudden stoppage of the drug can result in severe withdrawal, which may cause fever, muscle rigidity, confusion, seizures, or death. Malfunctions may stem from mechanical failure, poor design, or wear over time.
- Catheter Migration or Dislodgement: The catheter is the narrow tube that delivers Baclofen from the pump to the spinal canal. If it moves, becomes kinked, or breaks, the medication may not reach the intended location—or may leak into other tissues. This can lead to unpredictable or ineffective dosing, neurological symptoms, or infections. Unfortunately, catheter issues often go unnoticed until the patient experiences a medical crisis.
- Battery Failure: Baclofen pumps rely on an internal battery to function. While these batteries are expected to last for several years, premature battery depletion has been reported. When the battery fails without warning, the pump stops working, cutting off medication delivery entirely. If not caught in time, this can result in sudden withdrawal and emergency hospitalization. In some cases, faulty batteries have required early surgical replacement, exposing patients to additional risks and recovery time.
- Software Errors: Many Baclofen pumps use sophisticated software for dosage programming and monitoring. If this software malfunctions or is improperly updated, it can lead to incorrect drug dosing or failure to alert providers of device issues. Some pumps have exhibited glitches that prevent clinicians from properly adjusting settings or identifying delivery failures, placing the patient in danger without immediate warning.
- Leaking Seals or Fractured Components: Faulty seals, damaged reservoirs, or cracked pump casings can cause Baclofen to leak into surrounding tissues or fail to reach the spinal fluid. This can result in severe inflammation, infection, or abscess formation, and may require additional surgeries to correct. Contamination of medication or fluid pockets around the device are serious complications that have been linked to long-term health issues.
- Overdose: Even a small error in Baclofen dosage can be catastrophic. A Baclofen overdose—whether due to pump programming errors, software glitches, or a stuck delivery valve—can cause severe drowsiness, slowed breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, and coma. In some cases, overdose can be fatal. Because Baclofen is delivered directly into the spinal fluid, its effects are much more potent than oral forms, leaving little room for error when a malfunction occurs.
Some of these defects have prompted FDA Class I recalls—the most serious type of recall, reserved for products that can cause serious injury or death. Others have triggered manufacturer-issued safety notices, urging healthcare providers to monitor patients closely for signs of failure. Unfortunately, many patients and families do not learn of these issues until after significant harm has occurred.
At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we believe patients deserve better. If a defective Baclofen pump has harmed you or someone you love, we are ready to fight for justice.
Signs of Baclofen Pump Malfunction
Because the pump is internal, it’s not always easy to detect a defect. However, symptoms that may signal a problem with a Baclofen pain pump include:
- Increased or uncontrollable muscle spasms
- Dizziness or confusion
- Respiratory distress
- Seizures
- Coma
- Sudden withdrawal symptoms
- Unexplained infections near the pump site
- Malfunction alerts from a healthcare provider’s monitoring device.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. Then, contact a Baclofen pain pump defects lawyer to understand your legal rights.
Who Is Responsible for Baclofen Pain Pump Injuries?
In many cases, the manufacturer of the Baclofen pump or one of its components may be held liable under product liability law. You may have a valid claim if your injuries were caused by:
- A design defect, where the device was inherently unsafe
- A manufacturing defect, where the device was made improperly
- Failure to warn, meaning the manufacturer didn’t disclose known risks or side effects.
Additionally, medical providers may share responsibility if they implanted the device incorrectly or failed to monitor it properly. A skilled attorney can help identify all potentially liable parties in your case.
Compensation for Baclofen Pump Injuries
Victims of defective Baclofen pain pumps may be entitled to significant compensation, including:
- Medical expenses – past, current, and future treatment
- Lost income – including reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering – physical pain and emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, if a loved one died due to a defective pump.
Each case is unique. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we take the time to understand how your injury has affected every aspect of your life. Then, we fight to recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law?
Why do clients choose Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law instead of other Houston personal injury law firms? Because Terry Bryant cares about his clients — and they know it.
Terry Bryant is dedicated to helping victims recover swiftly and without losing their life savings. He has seen the hardships that victims of defective medical devices face. Mr. Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and has decades of experience fighting zealously for his clients.
Most defective medical device lawsuits can seem like a modern-day retelling of David versus Goliath. Pharmaceutical corporations band together with insurance companies and corporate lawyers to try to pick the victim’s pocket. Often, they offer trivially small settlements or try to get the victim to sign away their rights. Terry Bryant is familiar with those tactics and is determined not to let them get away with it. You deserve every dollar that Texas law allows, and he knows how to make the manufacturers pay it.
What To Do If You Suspect Your Baclofen Pump Is Defective
If you believe your Baclofen pump may be defective or malfunctioning, take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately – especially if you experience unusual symptoms.
- Request your medical records – including notes about the pump, dosage settings, manufacturer, and model.
- Preserve the device, if it’s removed – this may be crucial evidence in your case.
- Contact a lawyer – the sooner you speak to an attorney, the better your chances of preserving evidence and building a strong claim.
Our legal team will handle everything from investigating the pump’s failure to negotiating with insurance companies and manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
+ Is there a recall on Baclofen pumps?
Some Baclofen pumps have been recalled by manufacturers like Medtronic due to performance issues and safety concerns. Our team can help you determine whether your specific device was part of a recall.
Texas law limits the time you have to file a product liability lawsuit—often two years from the date of injury. However, certain circumstances may extend or shorten this time frame. (*Always speak directly to a lawyer to learn the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims.)
You may still have a valid claim. Medical records, imaging, and testimony can help establish how the pump caused harm. If the pump is still available, we will help preserve it as evidence.
Yes. We handle defective medical device claims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. If you don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
Talk to a Baclofen Pain Pump Defects Lawyer Today
When a medical device meant to improve your quality of life causes pain, injury, or even death, you deserve justice. Let us help. At Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, we’ve been helping injured Texans since 1985, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Call us now at (713) 973-8888 or toll-free at 1-800-444-5000 for a free, confidential consultation. You can also fill out our online form, and we’ll get in touch promptly.
Don’t wait. Let us hold negligent medical device manufacturers accountable and help you get your life back on track.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
