When CPAP Machines Cause Harm: Building a Medical-Legal Case
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines are widely prescribed to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that affects millions of adults. By keeping airways open during sleep, CPAP therapy reduces risks of heart disease, stroke, and daytime fatigue.
But what happens when a CPAP machine itself causes harm? In recent years, defective devices, recalls, and inadequate warnings have led to serious health complications for patients—ranging from respiratory damage to cancer concerns linked to toxic foam breakdown. For attorneys, these cases require careful medical-legal investigation and strong documentation to prove liability.
At Lexcura Summit Medical-Legal Consulting, we provide expert support for law firms handling CPAP-related claims, ensuring every piece of medical evidence is captured and analyzed.
CPAP Machine Risks and Recalls
While CPAP devices can be life-saving, they are not without dangers. Common issues include:
Foam degradation – Some recalled machines contained polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) foam that could break down and release toxic particles and gases.
Respiratory irritation – Inhaled particles may cause chronic coughing, airway inflammation, or asthma-like symptoms.
Long-term risks – Exposure to degraded materials has been linked to potential liver, kidney, and lung cancers.
Device malfunction – Incorrect pressure delivery or electrical defects may worsen sleep apnea or create new risks.
These risks underscore the importance of both manufacturer accountability and thorough medical record review when harm occurs.
Establishing Liability in CPAP Cases
Plaintiffs and attorneys must prove several key elements in CPAP injury claims:
Defect or Negligence – The machine was inherently unsafe due to faulty design, manufacturing, or lack of proper warnings.
Causation – The patient’s illness or injury can be directly linked to CPAP use.
Damages – Medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term complications must be documented.
Failure to Warn – Evidence that patients were not adequately informed of the risks.
Medical records, physician notes, device use logs, and manufacturer recall notices often form the backbone of these cases.
How Lexcura Summit Strengthens CPAP Litigation
Our nationwide team of 200+ board-certified clinicians supports attorneys by:
Medical Chronologies – Building clear timelines from diagnosis to CPAP use, device recall, and resulting harm.
Narrative Summaries – Explaining complex respiratory, oncology, and toxicology records in plain language.
Expert Case Screening – Identifying whether injuries are consistent with known CPAP risks.
Life Care Plans – Outlining the long-term costs of chronic illness or cancer treatment.
Defense & Rebuttal Reports – Assisting both plaintiff and defense firms in high-risk litigation.
We deliver all work within 7 days (rush in 2–3), with a fully HIPAA-compliant workflow to protect sensitive health data.
Key Takeaways
CPAP machines, though beneficial, may cause serious health complications when defective.
Attorneys must prove defect, causation, damages, and failure to warn to succeed in litigation.
Lexcura Summit provides litigation-ready chronologies, summaries, and life care plans to strengthen CPAP injury cases.
Contact Lexcura Summit
If you’re handling a CPAP machine injury or recall case, we can help provide the medical clarity your litigation requires.
Lexcura Summit Medical-Legal Consulting, LLC
📞 (352) 703-0703
🌐 www.lexcura-summit.com
