Chicago-Based Attorneys for Abbott Spine Stimulator Lawsuits

Many people suffer with chronic pain. For some patients, doctors prescribe neurostimulation or spinal cord stimulation to manage the pain. This works by relaying low intensity electrical impulses to the nerve structures of the patient. Among the manufacturers of spine stimulator systems is Abbott. While these implants may work for some people, they can also have problems. According to various lawsuits that have been filed against Abbott, the implant can migrate, administer painful shocks, create nerve damage, or break through skin. When something like this happens, the result may be the need for revision or removal surgery. If you were injured by an Abbott spinal cord stimulator, you should consult the seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group. Billions have been recovered in lawsuits with which we’re involved.

In October 2026, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) centralized 26 lawsuits against Abbott across 13 districts. The cases will be heard by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. With centralization, the lawsuits go through discovery together. This allows for greater consistency between case decisions. The plaintiffs in these centralized cases were implanted with spinal cord stimulators and suffered injuries like lead migration, burning, shocking, autonomic dysfunction, neurological problems, and insufficient pain relief. Other manufacturers have also been sued on similar grounds; the JPML found there was no common mechanism of defect alleged among the various spinal cord stimulators.

We may be able to bring a product liability lawsuit if you were injured by an Abbott spinal cord stimulator. Product liability lawsuits can be pursued when a product is defective in terms of its manufacturing, design, or marketing. A manufacturing defect is a flaw that tends to exist in the making of only one unit or batch of units. It’s a mistake and a deviation from the design of the product during the making of the product. However, a design defect is a flaw that exists in every unit of the product; it’s a problem with the specifications used to make the product. Marketing defects are flaws in the materials that accompany a product; they often involve failure to warn. Jurisdictions follow various versions of the learned intermediary doctrine. Under this doctrine, Abbott would need to provide adequate warnings to the health care provider that prescribes the spinal cord stimulator, rather than the end-consumer. The doctrine recognizes that doctors are in the best position to inform their patients of risks linked to pharmaceutical drugs and devices.

In addition to establishing a defect, we will need to establish a theory of liability in order to recover compensation. Potential theories of liability can include strict liability, negligence, statutory violations, breach of warranty, breach of contract, and statutory violations. In most cases, strict liability is the most favorable to plaintiffs. It requires our lawyers to prove: (1) a manufacturing, design, or marketing defect, (2) the defect caused injuries to you, (3) the injuries resulted in damages. With negligence, we would need to establish what the standard of care was and that the defendant breached that standard of care, thereby causing injuries.

If our attorneys are able to establish liability, we may be able to recover damages. These can include both economic and noneconomic losses. Economic losses include medical bills, lost wages, replacement services, and out of pocket costs. Replacement services are services intended to replace such things as doing housework or childcare when injuries leave the plaintiff unable to do those tasks themselves. Noneconomic losses include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and lost earning capacity.

Sometimes more than one party bears responsibility for injuries arising out of the Abbott spinal cord stimulator, and our lawyers will look at the circumstances to hold all responsible parties accountable.

If you were injured by an Abbott spinal cord stimulation system, please call the experienced Chicago-based product liability lawyers of Moll Law Group to find out whether you have a viable claim. We represent clients around the country. Complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.