Defective or Dangerous Medical Devices can form the basis of a product liability lawsuit if they cause injury to a patient. Dangerous medical equipment may include medical appliances, prosthetic devices, surgical implants, surgical equipment, hospital supplies, diagnostic equipment, and hearing and visual aids. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the government entity which oversees the safety of medical devices. A manufacturer’s degree of compliance with FDA regulations will likely influence the verdict in a lawsuit. While all states have a time limit (statute of limitations) concerning defective medical products, many also have a discovery rule. A discovery rule means that the time limit for a lawsuit does not begin to run until the injured person becomes aware of his or her illness or injury. Occasionally, it is very difficult to distinguish between Medical Malpractice and a Dangerous Medical Device lawsuit. A practiced attorney would be able to determine which law is applicable.