Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuit

Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuit: 

We are currently investigating and accepting spinal cord stimulator injury cases nationwide. If you or a loved one received a spinal cord stimulator and later experienced shocks, burns, infection, device migration, worsening pain, or a follow-up surgery, we want to hear from you. 

What is a spinal cord stimulator? 

A spinal cord stimulator is a small device implanted in the body to help manage chronic pain. Thin wires called leads are placed near the spinal cord, and a battery-powered generator sends mild electrical pulses through them to interrupt pain signals before they reach the brain. Because it's implanted, the FDA treats it as a high-risk device requiring strict approval. For many patients it helps. For a growing number of others, it has led to shocks, burns, infections, a device or lead that shifts out of place, or hardware that fails outright, often requiring another surgery to fix or remove it. 

Understanding the core allegations 

• Manufacturers used a faster FDA approval shortcut, meant for minor updates, to push through significant redesigns of leads, batteries, and firmware without new clinical trials. 
• Several complaints allege that specific devices and components were not manufactured in compliance with FDA quality-control standards, particularly the lead wires that carry the electrical signal. 
• Patients were not adequately warned that these changes altered the risk profile of their device. 
• Separately, a number of malpractice claims allege that some patients were not appropriate candidates for a stimulator in the first place, or that follow-up care after implantation fell short of the accepted standard. 

Devices under investigation, by manufacturer 

Abbott / St. Jude Medical: Eterna, Proclaim Plus, Proclaim XR, and the legacy Prodigy MRI system 

Boston Scientific: WaveWriter Alpha, WaveWriter Alpha Prime, Spectra WaveWriter, and the Precision, Precision Spectra, Precision Novi, and Precision Montage MRI systems 

Medtronic: Intellis, Intellis Pro, Inceptiv, Vanta, and the older Restore, RestoreAdvanced, Itrel, and Synergy platforms 

Nevro: Senza high-frequency stimulation systems 

Reported injuries 

• Lead wire fracture or migration requiring revision surgery 
• Electrical shocks, overstimulation, or burns 
• Infection at the implant site 
• Device malfunction, including being stuck in "safe mode" or "MRI mode" 
• Worsening chronic pain or new nerve pain despite reprogramming 
• Battery instability or unexpected shutdown 
• Loss of bowel or bladder control 
• Autonomic dysfunction 
• Permanent nerve damage, paralysis, or death in the most severe cases 

Helpful records for your case 

You don't need to arrive with a complete file, but the following can help support your claim: 

• Implantation surgery records, including the device manufacturer and model 
• Records from any revision, replacement, or removal surgery 
• Imaging showing lead migration or fracture 
• Medical notes documenting shocks, burns, infection, or worsening pain 
• Any communication with a manufacturer's sales representative about reprogramming your device 

Where things stand today 

This litigation is active and growing. Lawsuits have been filed against Boston Scientific, Abbott, Medtronic, and Nevro, and more patients are coming forward as awareness of these device problems spreads. More than 80,000 adverse event reports involving spinal cord stimulators have been filed with the FDA. 

In June 2026, a federal court formally consolidated Boston Scientific spinal cord stimulator lawsuits into a single coordinated proceeding (MDL No. 3181) in California. This means Boston Scientific cases filed across the country are now being managed together, which can help move cases forward more efficiently. Claims against Abbott, Medtronic, and Nevro are still being filed and handled individually, and could be consolidated in a similar way if enough cases are filed. 

No settlements have been reached and no court has ruled on liability yet. This litigation is still in its early stages, which means now is an important time to have your case reviewed and your place in it secured. 

Why choose Cowper Law for your spinal cord stimulator lawsuit? 

Cowper Law LLP is a boutique firm that takes a different approach to mass tort litigation. We focus almost exclusively on representing plaintiffs but our attorneys were trained as defense lawyers for Fortune 100 pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. That background gives us a real advantage: we know how these large companies operate, how they litigate, and where their weaknesses lie. 

We also love to try cases. We're at our best in front of a jury, telling a powerful and true story with the help of the latest courtroom technology. Above all, we believe in giving a voice to the voiceless, including patients who trusted a device to relieve their pain and were ultimately let down by it. 

• Insider knowledge of how device manufacturers defend themselves. Our attorneys spent years on the other side, defending Fortune 100 pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies, so we know their playbook before they run it. 
• Trial-ready, not settlement-only. We prepare every case as if it's going in front of a jury, using modern courtroom technology to make complex medical and regulatory issues easy to understand. 
• We track this litigation closely. Mass tort litigation like this changes quickly, new MDLs, new rulings on preemption, new manufacturers added. We stay current so your case is positioned correctly from the start, whether that means filing in the Boston Scientific MDL or pursuing an individual claim against another manufacturer. 
• A boutique firm, not a case-mill. As a smaller, focused practice, we're selective about the cases we take on so our clients get real attention, not just a file number. 

Frequently asked questions 

Can I file a claim if my device was already removed? Yes. Many claims involve patients who needed revision surgery or complete removal due to lead migration, fracture, or device malfunction. 

What if my complications happened years ago? Depending on your state's law, you may still be within the filing window, especially if the connection between the device and your injury wasn't clear until recently. Don't assume it's too late. Have it reviewed. 

Does this cost anything upfront? Case reviews are free, and these cases are typically handled on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. 

Think you may have a case? 

If you had a spinal cord stimulator implanted and experienced shocks, burns, infection, device movement, worsening pain, or a surgery to fix or remove it, we offer free, no-obligation case reviews. Contact our team today to find out where you stand. 

This page is for general information only and is not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.