The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, P.A.
19 West Flagler Street, Suite 618
Miami, Florida 33130
(305) 416-9805
(305) 416-9807
Faulty Pacemakers, Defibrillators and ICD Lead Wires Lawsuits Attorney
Sean M. Cleary – Miami Personal Injury Lawyer
Recently, consumers have become aware of disturbing news surrounding Guidant and Medtronic pacemakers and implantable cardioveter defibrillators (ICDs). Devices that have been implanted in thousands of heart patients have been found susceptible to developing an internal short circuit and other problems. As a result, many pacemakers and ICDs have failed to function properly. This means that patients dependent on these devices sometimes do not receive the necessary electrical impulses to stimulate or pace their hearts back into normal rhythm. The consequences of pacemaker / ICD failure are often grave as victims develop serious heart problems and/or die due to heart failure.
Recognizing the magnitude of health risks posed by defective pacemakers and ICDs, Sean M. Cleary is dedicated to protecting consumer rights by holding makers of these devices responsible. As an accomplished Miami personal injury attorney, he has helped many victims obtain just compensation for their medical, emotional and financial distress caused by defective medical devices. In addition, Mr. Cleary is an experienced, compassionate Miami wrongful death lawyer who can provide tactful assistance to families who have lost their loved ones as a result of malfunctioning pacemakers and ICDs.
Guidant and Medtronic Pacemaker Recall: Negligence
In 2005, the FDA issued recalls of certain models of Guidant and Medtronic pacemakers that were found to be prone to malfunction. Pacemakers are implantable medical devices that monitor heart rate and apply a certain amount of electrical stimulation if the heart rate is too slow. While pacemakers are very similar to implantable defibrillators (ICDs), unlike ICDs, pacemakers treat primarily bradycardia (slower-than-normal heart rate). When a pacemaker malfunctions, the dangerously slow heart beat goes undetected and/or the device does not pace the heart back into normal rhythm. As a result, victims may sustain major heart damage and/or death. Because Guidant and Medtronic are required by law to provide reasonably safe consumer products, in many cases they can be held liable for negligence or strict liability.
Medtronic and Guidant ICD Recall: Personal Injury
Medtronic and Guidant have also experienced serious problems with their implantable cardioveter defibrillators (ICDs) that have prompted FDA recalls. Similar to pacemakers, ICDs are stopwatch-size devices that are implanted in the upper chest. They monitor the heartbeat and, when necessary, shock the heart back into normal rhythm. Unlike pacemakers, ICDs provide treatment for both bradycardia (slower-than-normal heart rate) and tachycardia (faster-than-normal heart beat). Unfortunately, Medtronic and Guidant ICDs have sustained malfunction by either failing to deliver life-saving electrical impulses, or by creating unnecessary, painful shocks. As a result, victims often suffer major personal injury, such as heart attack and heart failure, which sometimes lead to lethal consequences.
Faulty ICD Lead Wires: St. Jude Riata Defibrillator Recall
St. Jude the maker of Riata defibrillators has experienced problems with memory chips that can cause them to malfunction. In several cases, lead wires that are a crucial part of Riata defibrillators became detached and perforated the heart wall. As a result, these ICDs failed to function and patients did not receive the necessary electrical shocks, which left them at risk of serious injury and death. In the United States, about 40,000 people have been implanted with St. Jude ICDs and could be potentially affected by defibrillator failure.
Contacting Your Miami Defective Medical Devices Lawyer
Manufacturers of medical devices are expected to provide consumers with products that meet stringent safety and efficacy requirements. When they fail to meet this burden, they can and should be held liable for any/all injuries and deaths caused by their products. If you have suffered injury or your loved one has died as a result of a malfunctioning medical device, contact the Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary today at (305) 416-9805 for a free case evaluation. Mr. Cleary will help you determine if compensation is available for your physical and emotional suffering, financial distress, and lost future wages. In addition to assisting victims of defective medical devices, Sean Cleary is one of the dedicated Miami auto accident attorneys and an experienced Miami spinal cord injury lawyer and brain injury attorney.
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