Inspire Sleep Apnea Lawsuit Alleges Man Suffered Hours of Electrical Shocks From Device

Lawsuit alleges prolonged shocks from Inspire implant caused serious injuries, requiring removal and leading to ongoing physical and emotional harm.

A newly filed product liability lawsuit alleges that an Inspire sleep apnea implant malfunctioned and delivered repeated electrical shocks to a Louisiana man, which caused severe injuries and required surgical removal of the device.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Blake and Heidi Luquette in Louisiana District Court on February 19, naming Inspire Medical Systems Inc. as the defendant. The case was later removed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana on April 10.

The lawsuit claims Blake Luquette’s Inspire device was defectively designed and inadequately tested, and that the company failed to warn about the risk of excessive electrical stimulation, which could result in serious and permanent injuries. 

Inspire Sleep Apnea Implant

The Inspire sleep apnea implant is a surgically implanted medical device used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where a person’s airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, interrupting breathing. The system includes a small pulse generator placed in the chest, along with leads that monitor breathing patterns and deliver stimulation to help regulate airflow.

The device works by sending mild electrical impulses to the hypoglossal nerve, which controls tongue movement, helping keep the airway open during sleep. Patients typically activate the system with a handheld remote before going to bed, allowing the device to synchronize stimulation with breathing patterns.

However, a June 2024 Inspire sleep apnea device recall raised questions about the reliability of certain components, with reports indicating some devices may malfunction or require ongoing monitoring to detect potential issues. Health regulators have advised continued surveillance of those using the devices, highlighting concerns about performance and the potential need for additional medical intervention.

In addition to concerns mentioned in the recall, potential Inspire implant complications may include infection, nerve damage, pain from stimulation or device migration. In some cases, patients may experience unintended or excessive electrical stimulation, which can result in muscle spasms, prolonged shocks or significant distress.

There is also a risk the device may not effectively treat sleep apnea, potentially requiring additional procedures or removal. As a result, product liability lawyers are investigating claims for individuals who experienced complications or required surgery to remove the device.

Inspire Sleep Apnea Device Malfunction Allegations

According to the lawsuit, Luquette was implanted with an Inspire sleep apnea device on December 19, 2023, to treat obstructive sleep apnea. 

The complaint alleges the device malfunctioned on or about February 25, 2025, subjecting Luquette to repeated, uncontrolled electrical shocks for several hours before it could be shut off. The system was later surgically removed on April 4, 2025.

According to the lawsuit, the incident caused significant injuries and complications, leading to additional medical treatment and ongoing physical and emotional harm. The complaint further alleges the device was defectively designed and manufactured, and that Inspire Medical Systems failed to properly test it or provide adequate warnings to patients and physicians about the risk of malfunction and uncontrolled electrical stimulation.

“As a result of the above described incident, Blake Luquette, sustained serious and permanent injuries that have resulted in past and future physical and mental pain and suffering, past and future loss of enjoyment of life, past and future loss of earnings and loss of earning capacity, permanent disability, scarring, and disfigurement, that has necessitated that he incur medical expenses, both past and future and for all equitable relief and damages available under Louisiana law.”

— Blake Luquette et al v. Inspire Medical Systems Inc.

The lawsuit raises claims of negligence and product liability, asserting that the device posed an unreasonable risk of harm when used as intended. It seeks damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, emotional distress and other losses associated with the alleged device failure.

Inspire Sleep Apnea Investor Lawsuits

In addition to Inspire sleep apnea device product liability lawsuits, the manufacturer also faces a series of investor class action lawsuits, alleging it misled shareholders about the safety and performance of its implant system.

According to allegations raised in those cases, Inspire Medical Systems failed to disclose reports of device-related complications, including issues involving effectiveness, patient tolerance and adverse events, which may have impacted demand for the implant. Plaintiffs claim the company made overly positive statements about the device’s clinical outcomes and market growth, while downplaying or omitting known risks.

The lawsuits further allege that when information about these problems began to emerge, the company’s stock price declined, resulting in significant losses for investors. Shareholders claim they would not have purchased Inspire stock, or would have paid less for it, had they been aware of the alleged safety concerns and operational challenges tied to the device.

As a result, the investor lawsuits seek to recover damages on behalf of individuals and entities that purchased Inspire Medical Systems securities during the relevant class period, arguing the company violated federal securities laws by failing to provide accurate and complete disclosures about the risks associated with its sleep apnea implant.

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