Medtronic Lawsuit Attorneys

Williams Kherkher - Medtronic Lawsuit Attorneys Providing Answers

As the issue surrounding Medtronic, Inc.'s defibrillator product hit the news based on complaints and reports of injuries and death, the Medtronic lawsuit attorneys at Williams Kherkher began to meet with prospective clients in an effort to help them. During this time, our Medtronic lawsuit attorneys have come to identify certain questions that arise that are more common than others.

As a result, below you'll see a few examples of these common questions. If you need immediate legal help, contact the Medtronic lawsuit attorneys at Williams Kherkher today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Why is Medtronic no longer selling its defibrillator product?
Medtronic has stopped selling particular models of its defibrillators because of a serious problem with one component of the system. Specifically, there is a potential defect with the wire lead that's part of the product.

What is a 'wire lead'?
The wire lead is part of the defibrillator system that is implanted and intertwined with a blood vessel that leads to the heart. Basically, when a patient's heart begins to beat irregularly, the wire lead transmits the message from the device that 'shocks' the heart back into its proper rhythm, which in effect helps the patient avoid heart failure. This component is the one that's drawing the scrutiny of Medtronic lawsuit attorneys around the country.

Can I have the product replaced?
No. Every expert involved in this situation, including the manufacturer, medical professionals and even the FDA are all recommending that this product not be replaced, as the surgical procedure required to do so would create more of a risk than simply managing the product closely until such time as it needs to be replaced anyway, which is usually every 10 years.

What should I do now?
If you have had this device implanted inside of your chest, seek immediate medical attention so you can learn exactly how to manage the product. Following that step, contact the Medtronic lawsuit attorneys at Williams Kherkher to schedule a free initial consultation. What parts make up a defibrillator?

Defibrillators contain a monitoring device that detects unstable heart rhythms and controls the release of the electric shock, as well as lead wires that are thread throughout a patient’s heart. The shock is carried from the monitor through the wires to specific areas of the heart. Medtronic leads have been recalled due to their failure to release the appropriate electrical shock. If you have been affected by defective Medtronic leads, contact a Medtronic attorney at Williams Kherkher immediately to discuss your legal options.

How many types of implantable heart devices are there and what do they do?

The two common types of implantable heard devices are pacemakers and defibrillators. Pacemakers are often implanted into patients who suffer from a slow heart beat. If the heart rate becomes too slow, the pacemaker releases a small jolt of electricity to speed the beat back up to the appropriate speed. A defibrillator is implanted in patients who experience irregular heart beats. If the defibrillator detects an unstable rhythm, it will release an electrical shock to shock the patient’s heart back to a more regular rhythm. The shock of the defibrillator is much more powerful than the one released by a pacemaker.

Have many people been affected by defective Medtronic defibrillators with Spring Fidelis leads?

Absolutely. Since January 2007, five deaths have been reportedly caused by the defects found in Medtronic defibrillators and the company estimates that 2.3% of patients with Medtronic defibrillators will suffer from a lead fracture within only 30 months of having the device implanted.

I have a Medtronic defibrillator - how do I know if mine is defective?

Sadly, there is no way of knowing if a defibrillator is defective until the effects of a lead fracture are experienced by the patient. Contact your doctor to discuss your options if your unstable heart rhythm is being treated by a Medtronic defibrillator.

What kind of damages can I recover if I have suffered due to a defective defibrillator?

Common damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, emotional and physical pain, and loss of potential earnings. The compensation that you are eligible for depends on the severity of your injuries and other factors of your case. Contact a Medtronic Lawyer at Williams Kherkher today to learn more about your legal options if you have suffered from a defective Medtronic defibrillator.