Biomedical Engineering Experts Discuss Failure of Carbon Fiber Fixation Device

Case Overview

This case involves a patient who had a carbon fiber plate implanted in her leg to treat a fracture. At some point, the plate broke, and the coating material allegedly “melted” while inside of her. The plate was black in color upon insertion into Plaintiff. After the plate broke, the Plaintiff claimed to have had black material oozing out of her leg. When the plate was finally removed, it was white in color. It was alleged that the plate had been negligently designed and/or manufactured, and that the materials used were not suitable for use in the human body due to their demonstrated inability to withstand the conditions encountered there.