Defective Guidant Defibrillators
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A defibrillator is a device implanted near or in the heart of a person who is at high risk for, or already has, a serious heart condition. They are also used to correct irregular and erratic heartbeats. It operates by sending shocks of electrical current to the erratic heart of the user. The electrical shocks bring the electrical conduction of the heart back to normal, allowing the heart to beat to in a natural rhythm. It is different from a pacemaker, because it only charges and shocks the heart when it detects an irregular heart rhythm, and is not constantly working with the heart beat by beat.
Defibrillators are designed to monitor the rate of the pulse, the rhythm, and the waveform of the heart. When a sign of ventricular defibrillator is detected, the user is immediately administered with a shock by the defibrillator device. Before its flaw was discovered, the internal defibrillator was considered a convenient type of device. It provides immediate revival to a patient who was experiencing erratic heartbeat or pulse rate. Many people are familiar with external defibrillators, but are not as aware of the
benefits that internal ones provide to thousands of people. In 2005, one of the manufacturers of these internal cardiac defibrillators, Guidant, was forced to recall more than 70,000 devices after it was found that there was a serious flaw that could put patients with them at serious risk.
It was found that the defective Guidant defibrillators may have been wired incorrectly, with a high risk for them to short-circuit at any time. There were at least two deaths due to this malfunction, and a number of reported injuries were sustained. Officials also found that because of the bad wiring, the device's battery would deplete faster than normal, putting patients at risk for further surgeries. Guidant Corporation has been under the scrutiny of several investigations because of reports that its defibrillator devices are malfunctioning, causing extensive injuries and death to their users. Since the defects of the Guidant defibrillators are widely known, the corporation has since had to recall even more of its models because they are suspected of having problems as well. Guidant has many class action lawsuits against it, mostly due to the fact that they failed to warn specialists and patients of the possible failure of the devices.
If you have a Guidant defibrillator, you should have a check-up with your specialist as soon as possible. If an incident has occurred in which the device has failed to function, you can contact a defective Guidant defibrillator lawyer. Your lawyer will provide you with assistance when you file a lawsuit claim against the Guidant Corporation. Do not hesitate to seek the guidance of a defective medical device lawyer or personal injury attorney. The litigation of such a case can be very complicated and involves complex terms. He or she will have resources that are employed to build the validity of the case. A defective Guidant defibrillator lawyer is familiar with the problems surrounding the product and the other lawsuits that are happening. This knowledge can be applied to your case in an attempt to build a viable claim.
You will also want to find a lawyer you can afford, as your case can go on for a long time. Many lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they will not be paid unless your suit is won. This means that while the procedures of the litigation is still ongoing, you will not pay your lawyer. Instead, if your case goes to trial and wins, and you receive your legal settlement, your lawyer will ask for his or her charges from the settlement. There are also incidences in which the responsible corporation does not want the case to reach the court. This usually happens when they seek to negotiate with you and your lawyer out of court. Your lawyer will work through this in order for you to get a high amount of liability coverage.
