The company Philips announced this Monday that it has reached an agreement to pay 1.1 billion dollars (more than a billion euros) following complaints in the United States that led to the recall of defective sleep apnea ventilators.
In a statement, the Dutch medical device company said it had reached a settlement “to resolve the personal injury and medical supervision class action litigation.”
In June 2021, Philips announced the recall of millions of sleep apnea ventilators due to a defect that could cause users to inhale small particles or dangerous chemicals while sleeping.
The recall of DreamStation machines led Philips to announce the layoff of thousands of people by 2025, due to losses caused.
“The settlement covers claims filed in U.S. courts,” among others, the group said.
According to Philips Respironics, payments are expected to be made in 2025.
Philips announced in January a net loss of 463 million euros in 2023 and the cessation of sales in the United States of breathing devices for sleep apnea.
The group entered into an agreement in September with some American subsidiaries to settle all claims for economic losses, but did not cover those relating to bodily injuries or medical follow-up.
