A Medtronic lawsuit was filed by Colorado resident Craig Houser after he sustained injuries allegedly caused by Medtronic’s Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD).

Houser was implanted with three Medtronic devices, including the Sprint FIDELIS Lead ICD on Oct. 19, 2004, “to detect and treat abnormally fast and irregular heart rhythms and to provide pacing for improper heart rhythms.”

Eight years later, on Jun. 3, 2012, one of the implanted Medtronic devices allegedly discharged, forcing Houser to seek medical attention at Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in the Denver area, where it was discovered that one of the devices’ defibrillator leads was fractured inside Houser. On Jun. 5, 2012, Houser reportedly underwent surgery and the defective product was replaced with a new defibrillator generator.

Details of Sprint Fidelis Lead ICD Allegations

According to his Medtronic lawsuit, Houser has reason to believe that the product responsible for his unfortunate injuries is the Sprint Fidelis Lead.

“Medtronic Inc. breached its duty of reasonable care to Mr. Houser by incorporating a defect into the manufacture of the Sprint Fidelis Leads, thereby causing Mr. Houser’s injuries,” the Medtronic lawsuit states.

“Medtronic Inc. breached its duty of reasonable care to Mr. Houser by manufacturing and assembling the Sprint Fidelis Leads in such a manner that they were prone to fray and/or fracture and fail to operate and malfunction and expose Mr. Houser to life-threatening physical trauma,” the Medtronic lawsuit adds.

Houser is seeking economic and non-economic damages, equitable relief, payment of medical expenses, and three times the awarded amount of actual damages for Houser who has allegedly “suffered serious physical injury, harm, emotional distress, damages and economic loss and will continue to suffer such harm, damages and economic loss in the future.”

This is not the first Medtronic product that has allegedly malfunctioned and threatened the life of a consumer and patient. Currently, there are thousands of patients across the United States joining Medtronic class action lawsuits after they allegedly sustained injuries from the Infuse bone graft.

Infuse Bone Graft Complications and Litigation

Medtronic Inc. is the leading manufacturer of spinal treatments in the world. Last year, their Infuse bone graft product generated $528 million in sales worldwide, making it one of the company’s most profitable products. Many physicians have used the Infuse bone graft system in various surgical procedures, though most often during spinal fusion surgeries.

Medtronic’s Infuse bone graft product is made up of synthetic proteins mixed with bovine collagen. This mixture is meant to replace body matter in damaged joints and bones and also used to relieve pain in the surgical area when injected. Because Infuse is less invasive than traditional bone grafts, relieves pain and encourages bone growth, it has become quite popular in surgical procedures. Despite these benefits, Medtronic has allegedly neglected to inform its consumers, physicians, and patients of all the risks associated with the Infuse product.

Infuse bone graft side effects reportedly include:

• Infection
• Male sterility
• Bone and nerve damage
• Urinary problems
• Increased risk of cancer

Because of the various Infuse bone graft side effects and injuries allegedly sustained from the Infuse product, many consumers have chosen to pursue a Medtronic Infuse class action lawsuit.