A Product Liability Case: Medtronic Defibrillators

Defibrillators are small devices that are implanted into the chest of patients who have certain heart conditions, such as arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats caused by a problem with the heart's electrical system. Some patients with arrhythmias can go into sudden cardiac arrest when the heart stops beating; if not treated immediately, the patient can die within minutes. The defibrillator sends an electrical impulse or tiny shock to the heart, called a defibrillation. If the device senses an irregular rhythm in the heart, it will send a low level impulse. If that doesn't correct the problem, it will send a high level impulse. All of this is done with wires that have electrodes on their ends which connect to the heart.

The world's largest manufacturer of heart devices such as these is Medtronic whose defibrillators were implanted in about 268,000 patients. From 2004 to 2007, their device used a wire which had not been completely tested before being used on patients. Because of being defective, the lead wire had the potential for damage when implanted. As a result, more than a thousand patients sustained varying ranges of side effects from the device, including at least 13 deaths from fractured wires. This led to product liability claims and lawsuits. In 2010, Medtronic paid $268 million to settle the claims which were sought through both state and federal courts. The average payout to patients harmed by the defective defibrillators was $33,000.

Product Liability and Personal Injury Attorney in Chico, California

The Medtronic defibrillator case is an example of product liability, a term which refers to the accountability that a manufacturer may be held to when producing and selling a defective product to the public. Where such products injure or cause the deaths of consumers who use them as directed, the manufacturer may be subjected to legal action for damages. Product liability cases are generally handled by attorneys who focus on personal injury and wrongful death.

If you believe you have been unnecessarily harmed by the use of a defective consumer product, you should seek proper legal advice from a law firm that concentrates in this field. In Chico and the surrounding areas, you can turn to the Law Office of Adam Sorrells. Mr. Sorrells has more than two decades of legal experience in helping clients recover the legal compensation they need and deserve in cases of negligence or other misconduct. He is a seasoned litigator who has handled over 1,000 depositions, arbitrations, and mediations. To learn more about how he can help you, contact his firm for a free case consultation. You will pay nothing unless your case is settled or won in court.