Medtronic Lawyers, Williams Kherkher

Medtronic Defibrillators and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Patients implanted with Medtronic defibrillators have a lot to worry about. Implantable defibrillators are medical devices designed to correct abnormal heart rhythms by giving precise electrical shocks to the heart. In theory, such a device could save lives in the presence of external defibrillators and/or trained operators.

Medtronic defibrillators are surgically implanted near a patient’s shoulder, and connected to the heart by a series of wire leads. A few years after the company began using Sprint Fidelis wire leads in its devices, however, it was discovered that these leads were prone to fracture, causing the defibrillator to malfunction. As one might imagine, such malfunctions were highly dangerous. On one hand, a defibrillator could fail to activate in the event of a cardiac arrhythmia, negating its primary function; on the other, it could – and has been known to – deliver random, extremely painful shocks to a patient’s heart – shocks which could very well be fatal.

Psychological Trauma

In addition to the physical trauma caused by malfunctioning Medtronic Sprint Fidelis leads, patients may also be psychologically affected.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sometimes known as post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSS) is a psychological disorder caused by severe mental trauma, often caused by experiencing or witnessing extremely stressful events. It is often diagnosed in soldiers, rape victims, and victims of childhood abuse, and can cause flashbacks, nightmares, and inability to function normally.

Some patients with Medtronic implantable defibrillators who suffer unexpected, painful shocks have claimed that the experience has resulted in PTSD; the fear of receiving an excruciating and possibly lethal shock at any time of the day is undoubtedly traumatic in every sense of the word.

If you or someone you love have been implanted with a faulty Medtronic defibrillator with dangerous Sprint Fidelis leads, the effects could be both physically and psychologically devastating. A Medtronic defibrillator lawyer from Williams Kherkher may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries. Call 866-950-9000 to learn more.