Legal Considerations Regarding Delayed Adverse Event Reporting by Medical Device Manufacturers
As product liability attorneys, we recognize the critical importance of timely adverse event reporting by medical device manufacturers. Such reporting is not only a regulatory obligation but also a fundamental aspect of patient safety and corporate accountability. Delayed reporting can have significant legal ramifications, including:
- Regulatory Non-Compliance: Manufacturers are mandated by federal law to report adverse events to the FDA within 30 days of becoming aware of them. Failure to comply can result in enforcement actions, fines, and potential injunctions against the company.
- Increased Liability Exposure: Delayed reporting may be construed as negligence, exposing manufacturers to lawsuits from patients harmed by undisclosed device risks. Courts may view the failure to report promptly as a breach of duty to consumers.