Defective Cardiac Defibrillator Attorneys

If a faulty cardiac defibrillator caused your injuries, contact the Alabama defective medical device lawyers of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP right now to discuss your legal options. You might be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer for the expenses you incurred while recovering from your physical and emotional injuries.

Cardiac defibrillators can treat various conditions, such as ventricular fibrillation, irregular heartbeat, and other cardiac problems. Unfortunately, certain implantable defibrillators contain defects, leading to complications.

The manufacturer could be held liable for the injury you sustained as a result of their faulty product. You thought you could trust the cardiac defibrillator you received and believed it would help your heart condition. Instead, it led to physical and emotional damage, requiring extensive medical treatment to recover.

Some people end up with permanent health problems they’re forced to deal with for the rest of their lives. The defective cardiac defibrillator attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP are ready to take on your case and seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve. Call us for your free consultation today at (205) 324-1212.

What Is A Cardiac Defibrillator?

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) are medical devices that can treat an abnormal heartbeat. When the device detects an arrhythmia, it transmits an electrical shock to regulate the heartbeat. The doctor could program your ICD for:

• High-energy shock – A painful shock for controlling severe heart rhythm problems.
• Low-energy pacing – Used for mild heart rhythm disruptions, causing no pain and a fluttering sensation in the chest.

Typically, your heart will only require one shock to return to a normal rhythm. However, some people need multiple shocks within 24 hours. An arrhythmia or electrical storm occurs when you have at least three shocks in a short period. This could indicate a serious problem, and you should seek medical treatment immediately.

An ICD contains major parts that all work together to ensure the heart functions correctly:

• Built-in pacemaker to control the heartbeat if it’s too fast or too slow.
• Pulse generator to read the heart’s electrical activity.
• Electrodes connected to the device are placed through your veins to the heart.

A subcutaneous ICD contains a lead (wire) implanted alongside the breastbone instead of the heart. The ICD itself is implanted under the skin below the armpit. This device is useful in patients with structural defects preventing a doctor from placing wires through blood vessels.

Complications Associated With Cardiac Defibrillators

A wide range of complications can occur if you have a cardiac defibrillator. Some side effects are minor, while others can become fatal. The most common complications caused by ICDs are:

• Bleeding at the implantation site
• Pain
• Perforated heart muscle
• Swelling
• Major bleeding requiring a blood transfusion
• Air enters the space between the chest wall and lung
• Fast heart rhythm that’s difficult to stop
• Collapsed lung
• Dislodged lead
• Damage to blood vessels
• Infection at the incision site

If you experienced any adverse side effects from your cardiac defibrillator, it’s crucial that you contact an experienced cardiac defibrillator attorney from Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP immediately. We need to begin working on your case to determine if we can hold the manufacturer liable for your injury. Gathering evidence can be time-consuming, so the sooner you retain our services, the sooner we can investigate what happened.

Recalled Cardiac Defibrillators

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued recalls of ICDs manufactured by multiple companies due to the defects leading to injuries. The recalled devices include:

St. Jude Medical Inc.

• Fortify VR
• Fortify ST DR
• Fortify Assura VR
• Quadra Assura MP
• Fortify Assura ST VR
• Fortify ST VR
• Fortify Assura DR
• Unify Quadra
• Fortify Assura ST DR
• Unify Assura Fortify DR
• Quadra Assura
• Unify

Medtronic

• Adapta
• Versa
• Sensia
• Evera
• Visia
• Micro Jewel II
• GEM DR

Abbott

• Ellipse

Boston Scientific

• Emblem S-ICD

This isn’t a comprehensive list of all the recalled ICDs and other defibrillators that could pose a risk to your health. Additionally, not all models of the listed cardiac defibrillators contain defects. If you believe your device is defective and caused your symptoms, you should seek legal representation.

Pursuing Compensation from An ICD Manufacturer

Product liability is an area of law holding manufacturers and sellers liable for their defective products. You could pursue a product liability case against the manufacturer of your cardiac defibrillator for compensation for the losses you suffered.

Three types of defects could result in a dangerous medical device. They include:

• Manufacturing defects – Although the ICD might be safe, the manufacturer made an error during the construction or assembly process. Deviating from the specifications of a design can cause hazards that increase the risk of injury. You must prove your device left the manufacturer in a defective condition, resulting in your injury.
• Marketing defects – Medical devices can become dangerous if misused. Patients should know of any risks they take when using a cardiac defibrillator. Some manufacturers failed to provide adequate warning labels of the side effects associated with their products. Without proper knowledge of the ICD, you’re unaware of the harm you could suffer.
• Design defects – A product with a design making it inherently unsafe increases the risk of injury. Manufacturers must design products to meet safety and quality standards. A medical device with a flawed design may not work as intended, causing harm to the person in whom it’s implanted.

At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, our defective cardiac defibrillator attorneys are familiar with Alabama laws we must follow when filing a product liability lawsuit or claim. If you want to sue the manufacturing company, there’s a specific timeframe for doing so. The statute of limitations for injury cases is two years. That means you must file your lawsuit within two years of the injury, or you could lose your right to hold the manufacturer accountable for their negligence in court.

Possible Compensation You Can Recover In Defective Medical Device Case

The compensation you receive should compensate for the losses you suffered. Physical, emotional, and economic losses are common following an injury from an ICD defect. The losses you might be able to pursue in your case include:

• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium (for losses your spouse suffered)
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Medical bills

Large companies typically hire aggressive and experienced attorneys to represent them. Without legal representation, you could feel intimidated by the prospect of facing them in court. They might provide a lowball settlement offer to close the case quickly so they don’t have to deal with ongoing litigation. A defective cardiac defibrillator attorney from Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP won’t back down without a fight. With us by your side, you will be in capable hands and have a better chance of receiving the maximum compensation you deserve.

We can investigate what happened to determine if your medical device is defective and locate sufficient evidence proving the manufacturer is responsible for your injuries. You shouldn’t be forced to face financial uncertainty as you’re treating your injuries. The manufacturer should be the one to pay for your medical bills, prescription medications, and associated expenses. If you require ongoing medical care or daily assistance, the compensation you receive should also cover future costs, so you’re not forced to pay for anything yourself.

Why Choose Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP?

The defective cardiac defibrillator attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP have recovered over $400 million in jury verdicts and settlements for our clients so far. We believe in seeking legal action against manufacturers and holding them liable for the injuries caused by their defective medical devices. The ICD you have or had resulted in significant physical harm, emotional distress, and financial struggles. This is not your burden to bear. We can take on the responsibility of your case and fight for the justice you deserve.

Over the past two decades, we have been recognized by prestigious organizations throughout the country, such as the National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. We’ve also been featured in Birmingham Magazine and B-Metro Magazine. We hold an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell as well as a 10.0 rating from Avvo.

Our defective cardiac defibrillator attorneys don’t want to create additional stress in your life or pile on more expenses while you’re pursuing a case against the manufacturer of your ICD. That’s why we take cases on contingency. There are no upfront fees or costs to receive quality legal representation from our award-winning lawyers. You won’t have to pay unless we win.

Contact Us

If you suffered injuries from a defective cardiac defibrillator, do not hesitate to reach out to Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP for legal advice, guidance, and support. You will be our priority as we’re working on your case and seeking the maximum available compensation to pay for your medical treatment.

We provide one-on-one attention from start to finish of your case, so you stay updated on the status and know what to expect during the legal process. If you ever have any questions or concerns, you can contact a team member 24/7 through our live chat feature.

Call Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP at (205) 324-1212 for your free consultation with one of our defective cardiac defibrillator attorneys, and let us help you fight for justice against the negligent manufacturer.