On October 15, 2007, Medtronic recalled its Sprint Fidelis defibrillator leads from the market after defective leads were linked to five patient deaths. These electronic wires are prone to fracture which can cause the defibrillator to deliver unnecessary shocks or not operate at all. A fractured wire can cause two serious and frightening problems:

• The faulty lead causes the device to deliver painful electrical jolts.
• The faulty lead can cause the device to fail to provide a life-saving "shock” when a patient’s heart needs one.

Medtronic, the largest manufacturer of implanted heart devices in the United States, is urging all of the approximately 268,000 patients worldwide (172,000 in the U.S.) with Sprint Fidelis leads, to immediately see their doctors to find out if the wire has fractured. The Sprint Fidelis wire has been used with Medtronic defibrillators since 2004.

Symptoms Associated with Defective Leads

The FDA advises patients who have had the Sprint Fidelis lead implanted to contact their doctors, especially if they have experienced the following symptoms:

• Multiple shocks
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Heart palpitations

Proven Results

• $240 Million Guidant Defibrillator Settlement — KCR clients who were injured by malfunctioning Guidant cardiac defibrillators will claim shares of the $240 million fund as part of a 2008 nationwide settlement.
  
• In a confidential settlement, our attorneys successfully resolved a case against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of over 200 individuals who alleged that they contracted post operative infections from sutures that had not been properly sterilized.
  
• In another case, we successfully resolved a case against a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Ethicon, Inc. on behalf of approximately 56 women who allege that they were injured by a defective medical device known as Intergel.

If you or a loved one has received an implanted Medtronic defibrillator with Sprint Fidelis leads, contact one of our medical device attorneys to talk about your case. You may be entitled to full payment by Medtronic for any additional surgery or medical treatment, as well as other damages including lost wages and pain and suffering.