February 10, 2005 – Medtronic Inc. warned patients that certain defibrillator and pacemaker devices manufactured by the company have a potentially serious defect that can render the devices inoperable. The defibrillator and pacemaker devices subject to this warning are vulnerable to an internal short. This design defect can lead to rapid battery depletion.

As a result of the defect, many people are being advised to have their Medtronic devices surgically removed. The subject devices were manufactured between April 2001 and December 2003.

Medtronic Class Action Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit is pending in Canada seeking $170,000,000 in damages for Canadians injured by defective Medtronic defibrillators.

This lawsuit covers all Canadians who received a defective Medtronic defibrillator manufactured between April 2001 and December 2003. The warning affects approximately 87,000 Medtronic defibrillators, and more than 13,000 people with these ICDs already have had the devices surgically removed. The following devices are included:

Medtronic Sigma Pacemaker Warning

The warning from Medtronic also included the Sigma series pacemakers. Medtronic warned that a wire problem in the pacemaker could cause symptoms such as dizziness or fainting in some patients.

This advisory covers approximately 28,000 pacemakers. Medtronic recommends patients with potentially defective devices discuss possible explanation with their physicians.

If you have received a Medtronic defibrillator or pacemaker and are unsure whether your device is covered by the warning, you should call your physician to determine whether or not the information regarding this notification applies to you.

Medtronic Lawyers Canada

Greg Monforton and Partners is handling legal claims against Medtronic, Inc. on behalf of Canadians injured by potentially defective heart defibrillators and pacemakers.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective Medtronic heart defibrillator or pacemaker, we encourage you to contact us. We are representing clients throughout Canada.

For free answers to your questions about the Medtronic class action lawsuit, call us at (866) 320-4770.