Personal Massage Device Kills Patient, FDA Issues Warning

Posted on August 26, 2011

In a press release, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning of life-threatening injury for the ShoulderFlex therapeutic massager, produced by King International LLC, after the device killed one person and almost strangled another.

The report requests that healthcare providers cease their recommendations of the device and urges consumers that have purchased the personal massager to dispose of the device in separate pieces, in separate places, so that it cannot be reassembled and used. The FDA is currently evaluating the company’s plans for an official recall.

The warning states, “The FDA is concerned that the ShoulderFlex Massager presents serious health risks. Hair, clothing and jewelry can become entangled in the massage device and cause serious injury or death.”

The warning was issued in direct relation to an incident where a necklace and piece of clothing became entangled in the device’s rotating massager. The FDA also stated that they’ve received two more reports of hair and clothing getting caught in the device.

As a Los Angeles personal injury attorney, I’ve seen recalls of this nature before and am glad that the issues facing this device are being addressed accordingly. If you’ve been injured through the use of a defective product, contact a product liability lawyer in your city to discuss the legal avenues open to you.

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