Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP represents patients nationwide with the recalled Sprint Fidelis line of defibrillator lead wires made by Medtronic Inc.
Leads are thin insulated wires connected to a defibrillator that carry electric impulses to the heart. Many of our clients experienced terrifying episodes of repeated electrical shocks due to their lead having fractured.
Our firm is serving in a leadership role for plaintiffs in lawsuits filed against Medtronic in federal court.
Quick Facts on the Medtronic Heart Lead Recall
Your wallet card will specify the manufacturer of your defibrillator leads. The Sprint Fidelis leads that have been recalled have the model numbers 6949, 6948, 6931 and 6930.
The recalled leads have been implanted in an estimated 235,000 patients since 2004. They are connected to defibrillators either made by Medtronic or by another defibrillator manufacturer such as Guidant or St. Jude for which Medtronic supplied the lead.
In October 2007, The Wall Street Journal reported that the recalled Medtronic heart leads may pose a higher risk of fracture in younger adults and children, a group for whom the devices were often used because of their small diameter. While children are a small share of the patients who received the wires, the leads tend to come under greater stress in more-active people, including kids, adolescents and younger adults.
Medtronic Recall Lawsuits
In lawsuits against Medtronic prepared by Lieff Cabraser, our clients allege that Medtronic misrepresented the safety of the Sprint Fidelis leads and they suffered massive, unnecessary electrical shocks.
Medtronic has not disclosed the precise mechanism of the Sprint Fidelis lead fracture failures. The complaints allege that the defect is attributable to the small diameter of the coil and conductors in the lead which make it prone to stress damage both during and after implant surgery. Fracture eventually occurs when the conductor is critically overstressed.
January 2009 Update
On January 5, 2009, U.S. District Court Judge Richard H. Kyle Court found that under the Medical Device Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Food and Drug Administration has exclusive authority to make all decisions as to the safety and effectiveness of medical devices. The Court concluded that Medtronic, Inc., is completely shielded from having to account for severe injuries suffered by patients who received its Sprint Fidelis heart lead, and dismissed all actions against Medtronic. Plaintiffs' Counsel believe the Court erroneously interpreted federal law and intends to file a motion for reconsideration and seek other relief.
Contact Heart Device Personal Injury Attorney | Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been injured by a defective Medtronic heart device, please click here to contact an experienced personal injury attorney at the national law firm of Lieff Cabraser.
We have successfully represented hundreds of patients across America who received faulty or recalled medical devices, including patients with recalled heart devices and pacemakers. Or you may call us toll-free at 1-800-948-2181.
Lieff Cabraser's Work in the Medtronic Lawsuits
Lieff Cabraser investigated patient complaints concerning the Medtronic heart lead for months and has gathered substantial evidence of Medtronic's misconduct.
On the same day as the recall was announced, heart patients represented by Lieff Cabraser and co-counsel filed the first personal injury and class action lawsuits against Medtronic in the nation.
About Lieff Cabraser
Founded in 1972, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP is an over fifty attorney law firm with offices in San Francisco, New York and Nashville. For the last six years, the National Law Journal has recognized Lieff Cabraser as one of the top plaintiffs' law firms in America.
For our personal injury cases, we bring a team of experienced lawyers. Each client is assigned an individual lawyer. In addition, we have on staff multiple nurses, legal assistants, scientific analysts and case clerks to assist the attorneys. Learn more about our firm.