10 | 22 | 2005 Posted By William G. Pintas

Class Action Filed Against Medtronic's Defibrillators

A $500 million dollar class action lawsuit was filed this month against Medtronic on behalf of those implanted with the device. The issue lies with the defibrillator's battery, which may rapidly deplete or short circuit thereby causing the device to fail should its recipient suffer a life threatening arrythmia. The defective devices include Medtronic's implantable cardiac defibrillators ("ICDs") and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators made between April 2001 and December 2003.

More information is found here.

Written By:larry nelson On January 11, 2006 09:25 PM

My question is in regard to the classaction lawsuit filed in Canada. Does this also include medtronic claims in the Usa.

Written By:David On January 12, 2006 08:34 PM

There are class actions filed in the US also. It will be a while before we find out which classes are approved. Individual cases filed in federal courts will most likely be consolidated in to what is called an MDL.

Written By:larry nelson On March 16, 2006 11:09 PM

When will mdl status be granted to this action. I am a defective medtronic defibrillator victim

Written By:larry nelson On June 8, 2006 10:45 PM

It's my understanding that the medtronic suit has been classified a class 1 suit. Correct me if I'm wrong. I understand this to mean that there is sufficient danger of receiving harm or injuries by this device.

Written By:David On June 9, 2006 03:51 PM

I believe you are confusing the 'class' of recall versus a 'class action'. The FDA categorizes recalls into three classes: class I being the most dangerous and class III being the least. The particular Medtronic devices were class I recalls.
The class action is a type of suit where a lead plaintiff brings a case on behalf of all other members of the class.