(2) comments
Add Your Reply
Menu
Boston Scientific, Guidant to Settle Defective Heart Device Cases for $30 Million
By Joe Messa
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.
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.
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.
Joseph L. Messa, Jr. is the founding partner of Messa & Associates, P.C. He is an AV-rated attorney (highest rating available), listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Read More
