A woman has filed a lawsuit alleging severe complications from a medical device implanted during surgery. Megan Steigerwald filed the complaint in the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on December 5, 2024, against Biomet, Inc., Highridge Medical, LLC, Longleaf Surgery Center, LLC., R. Brian Williams, DO and unnamed parties Does 1-10.
According to the court documents, Megan Steigerwald underwent a surgical procedure on March 15, 2019, where a Biomet Max AN Anterior Cervical Plate was implanted to stabilize her cervical spine. This device was designed and distributed by Biomet Inc., along with Highridge Medical and other defendants. After the surgery, Steigerwald began experiencing severe pain and limited mobility which were not present before the procedure. Subsequent medical evaluations revealed that the cervical plate was defective and failed to function as intended. As a result of this alleged defectiveness, Steigerwald claims she sustained severe injuries that led to significant medical expenses and lost wages due to her inability to work.
The complaint accuses the defendants of negligence for failing to properly design and manufacture the cervical plate and for not conducting adequate testing to ensure it was free from defects. Furthermore, they are accused of failing to provide adequate warnings about potential risks associated with using their product and continuing its marketing despite knowing its defects. "Defendants owed a duty to Plaintiff to exercise reasonable care," states the complaint.
Steigerwald is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for her injuries under several legal theories including negligence, strict products liability, breach of implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. She also seeks compensation for loss of earnings resulting from her inability to work due to injuries caused by what she alleges is a defective product.
The case is being handled by attorney Brian S. Brijbag from The Law Firm of Brian S. Brijbag PLLC dba Brijbag Law located in Spring Hill, Florida. The case number is 24-0053 14-CI filed under Judge Ken Burke's jurisdiction at Pinellas County Circuit Court.