DEFECTIVE DEFIBRILLATORS RECALLED BY MEDTRONIC

In February 2005, Medtronic, Inc. advised physicians of a recall involving a potential battery shorting mechanism in certain implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) models. ICDs shock the heart back into a regular rhythm if the patient suffers an arrhythmia that could lead to cardiac arrest. CRT-Ds provide electrical impulses to improve heart function.

The recall, affecting approximately 87,000 devices, including the following models, all of which contain batteries manufactured between April 2001 and December 2003:

• Marquis™ VR/DR;

• Maximo™ VR/DR ICDs;

• InSynch I/II/III Marquis™;

• InSynch III Protect™ CRT-D devices.

On December 7, 205, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation transferred all similar lawsuits that had been filed across the county to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota for centralization.

On November 28, 2006, the court denied Medtronic motion to dismiss on the basis of preemption. The MDL litigation is now proceeding in the discovery phase.

Girard Gibbs represents individual clients who have been surgically implanted with cardioverter- defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) models under recall. If you or a family member have had one of the above-listed Medtronic ICD or CRT-D devices surgically implanted and would like to learn more about this lawsuit, please fill in the form below to send us an email or contact us toll-free at 866-981-4800.