Guidant Defibrillators Lawsuits
A defibrillator is an electronic device that is used to prevent cardiac arrest as a result of ventricular tachycardia. In the past this device was used externally to jump-start the heart during heart failure. But today there are implantable defibrillators that are actually already inside the body ready and waiting to activate a built in pacemaker that will stabilize the heart beats to prevent further damage. If need be it can also provide additional jolts to get the heart's rhythms back to its regular beat.
The Guidant Company is a leader in producing implantable cardiovascular products. It is headquartered in Indianapolis and is in the process of being bought by Johnson & Johnson. Guidant was a major manufacturer of implantable defibrillators in the United States and abroad.
In June 2005, the Guidant Company recalled 50,000 of its defibrillators, with 38,000 of them that were sold in the United States. The implantable heart devices were short-circuiting and not working when they were needed. The company knew about 45 reports that the devices were not working properly and it also learned of two deaths as a result of these problems. But even knowing the risks involved in using this product, Guidant did nothing to warn physicians who were implanting these defibrillators into their patients.
When a Minnesota college student died as a result of his Guidant defibrillator short-circuiting while he was riding his bike in Utah, the recall was put into action.
The models that were recalled because of defects are:
The Contak Renewal
The Contak Renewal 2
The Ventak Prizm 2 DR
The Ventak Prizm AVT
The Vitality AVT
The Renewal 3 AVT
The Renewal 4 AVT
If you have any of the models that are listed above and it has failed and been documented by a medical professional, you may have a claim for injuries. You may also be reimbursed for the cost of removing the recalled defibrillator, the cost of the new device and the cost of putting the new defibrillator in.
Whether you were the person who received the implanted Guidant defibrillator or a member of your family did, please contact us here at Napoli Bern Ripka Law Firm, if the device failed you and you had to have it removed. If you are the family of a victim of the malfunctioning of this device, you may also be eligible for compensation through any number of class action suits against the makers of this defibrillator.
If you live in New York you can make an appointment to come to our office, which is located in the Empire State building. We also have offices throughout the country. We are committed to helping our clients realize the justice that they deserve.
Please take a minute and fill out our Quick Contact form on our home page or give us a call at 1-888-LAW-IN-NY (888-529-4669). We have recovered over a billion dollars for our clients. Let us put our expertise to work for you.
Cases and Settlements of Note
FDA Lawsuits & Settlements
- Diet Drug (Phentermine, fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine) Products Liability Litigation. The firm achieved a landmark settlement of half-a-billion dollars on behalf of thousands of plaintiffs injured as a result of their ingestion of defective diet medications.
- Client v. Bayer Corporation. The firm achieved settlements totaling over $1M on behalf of plaintiffs injured as a result of being administered the defective drug Trasylol during heart surgery.
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