Medtronic Feels Financial Effect of Recall of Sprint Fidelis Heart Leads, Mentions Ready for Litigation

An article in the Wall Street Journal -- Medtronic Net Slips on Recall, by Thomas M. Burton and Jon Kamp -- discusses the significant negative financial impact on Medtronic from its recent recall of Sprint Fidelis heart leads and mentions possible related litigation against Medtronic.  Here's an excerpt:

Regarding the potential for litigation linked to the recall, [Medtronic chief executive] Mr. Hawkins said it is too soon to say what the impact may be. "We're well-prepared financially and legally for any legal actions that come our way," he said.

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Defibrillators are designed to correct potentially lethal racing heartbeats by dispatching a powerful jolt to the heart. A lead fracture can mean the electrical therapy doesn't get sent to the heart, and the patient can die. In the case of Sprint Fidelis, it has also meant that unnecessary shocks are sent to some patients' hearts. The company has said this phenomenon was at work in some of the five patient deaths that may have resulted from the fractured leads.

BGS