Philadelphia personal injury lawyers report that Boston Scientific Corp. and its Guidant subsidiaries have agreed to pay $30 million to settle claims that Guidant knowingly sold defective implantable defibrillators. The company’s Prizm line of heart defribrillators were used in patients at risk of cardiac arrest due to an irregular heartbeat. The defective heart devices were implanted in Medicare patients from 2002 to 2005.
According to The Justice Department, Guidant attempted to correct the defects in the heart device, but continued selling its remaining stock of the defective versions. Guidant is also accused of trying to hide the problem from patients, doctors and the FDA. Guidant was purchased by Boston Scientific in 2006.
Personal Injury Lawyers Say Guidant Officials Knowingly Sold the Defective Prizm Heart Device
In addition to the $30 million Guidant and Boston Scientific will pay to settle claims of patients implanted with their defective Prizm heart devices, Boston Scientific paid $296 million nearly four years ago to resolve a federal investigation in connection with the handling its heart devices. Investigators say that Guidant knew that the device was defective as early as 2002. Two years ago, several Guidant officials pled guilty on behalf of the company to a criminal charge for misleading regulators. The company was given three years of probation.
According to court records, Guidant officials knew that Prizm heart devices had a potentially life-threatening defect. The company began selling corrected devices and still continued to sell the defective versions as well. Records state the company knowingly caused about 2,000 patients to be implanted with the defective heart device.
New Jersey and Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers
The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving pharmaceutical and drug product injuries. Our extremely skilled team of personal injury lawyers and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you have suffered an injury as a result of a Guidant’s defective heart device, a defective pharmaceutical drug product, or any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.
Hello
I just had a Boston Scientific Spinal Cord Stim implanted on 12/21/17 and I have had this huge knot on my right side causing me horrible pain ever since surgery. The day I was discharged the doctor felt it and said he doesnt know what it is maybe where he stitched the lead , went to my follow up and told that doctor and I told him it is a connector or something bc I can feel it from the paddle directly to the stimulator and he said that is impossible bc all of it is placed deep in the tissue..it is causing me horrible pain , I cant lean back when sitting, it hurts to sit upright, it hurts to touch me on that side , and it hurts to use my right arm..I am seeing my pain doctor today, he did not do the implant, I just want him to tell me it is a piece of the cord and give me a refill for pain meds ..so why is everyone telling me I am crazy ? I am not , and I did not get informed this would be a possible issue with this surgery. There is no way I can be a productive member in society with this pain on top of the back pain the stimulator was to help with ..I dont know what to do
Susan, thank you for our comment. I’m so sorry you are dealing with this difficulty following a surgery that was supposed to help with your pain. If you’d like an attorney to review your potential medical malpractice or defective products case, please consider calling our office to speak with our intake specialist, Noelle, who will gather the details of your case and refer you to the appropriate attorney. She can be reached at 215-568-3500. I hope you’ll give us an opportunity to help in any way we can.