Spinal Cord Stimulator Lawsuit

Spinal cord stimulators (SCS) are medical devices that are implanted into the body to help treat severe and chronic neuropathic pain. These devices work by emitting electrical pulses into the spinal cord to block the brain from recognizing pain. An SCS requires a surgical procedure to place properly, which is why doctors will often offer other forms of pain management to the patient first.

Patients who have had an SCS implanted have reported serious injuries. Those who have filed lawsuits allege they experienced device malfunctions, lead migration, electric shocks, nerve damage, infections, severe burns, neurological injury and the need for additional surgeries. Some patients have even experienced loss of extremity control or organ function, paralysis or death.

Hurt patients are seeking to hold companies liable for these SCS injuries. The defendants currently involved in SCS lawsuits are:

• Abbott Laboratories
• Boston Scientific
• Medtronic
• Nevro/Globus

Plaintiffs allege companies repeatedly modified the devices through the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) supplemental approval process, also known as the PMA supplements.

Health risks of spinal cord stimulators

Spinal cord stimulators have been connected to several health risks. They include:

• Battery problems, including leakage, depletion or shocks
• Burns, including severe internal burns
• Central nerve sensitization
• Cerebrospinal fluid leaks
• Death
• Dysphasia
• Device failure or loss of pain relief
• Electrode displacement
• Hardware malfunction
• Incontinence
• Infection
• Lead breakage and migration
• Loss of bladder control
• Loss of bowel function or control
• Loss of extremity control
• Nerve damage
• Neurological injury
• Paralysis
• Scarring
• Shocks
• Spinal cord stimulator implant removal
• Water entering the device, seal issues

Read More: Spinal Cord Stimulator Risks

Common allegations in spinal cord stimulator lawsuits

Common allegations against manufacturers in spinal cord stimulator lawsuits include:

• Manufacturing defect: The companies manufactured the device in an unsafe and defective way that caused harm to patients.
• Failure to warn: The companies didn’t adequately inform users about certain risks of SCS.
• Defective design: The design of the spinal cord stimulator devices was defective.
• Device malfunction: The devices were prone to different types of malfunctions.
• Misleading marketing: Manufacturers marketed the devices as safe and reduced or eliminated information about limitations or risks.

Individuals may be eligible for a spinal cord stimulator lawsuit if they experienced problems after having a spinal cord stimulator implanted or needed additional surgeries because of SCS-related complications.

Having a complication from a spinal cord stimulator doesn’t always mean someone has the ability to file a lawsuit. All claims will need proper evidence which may include:

• Medical records
• Device information
• Information of how the injury has impacted daily life

Attorneys can help individuals gather all the evidence they may need to file a claim.

Spinal cord stimulator litigation is currently developing in federal and state courts. There are now three separate multidistrict litigations (MDL) proceeding in federal courts. They are:

• MDL No. 3181, In re: Boston Scientific Corporation Spinal Cord Stimulator Products Liability Litigation. This MDL is proceeding in the Central District of California under U.S. District Judge Josephine L. Staton. It was established in June 2026.
• MDL No. 3194, In re: Abbott Laboratories Spinal Cord Stimulator Products Liability Litigation. This MDL is proceeding in the Northern District of Illinois under the Honorable Lindsay C. Jenkins. It was established in October 2026. Motley Rice attorneys Chelsea Monroe and Jonathan Orent successfully argued for the MDL’s establishment in the District.
• MDL No. 3195, In re: Nevro Corporation Spinal Cord Stimulator Products Liability Litigation. This MDL is proceeding in the Northern District of California under the Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam. It was established in October 2026.

An MDL consolidates multiple individual lawsuits into one court to streamline discovery, motions, and settlement negotiations for all claimants.

Our catastrophic injury attorneys seek justice for victims and their families. We strive to identify and hold accountable the responsible parties whose alleged negligence and willful acts contributed to permanent disability or wrongful death caused by a spinal cord injury.

Motley Rice attorneys also work to encourage the evolution of policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Read more on our personal injury litigation experience.