Medtronic may be Sued for Device Replacements

Christina Cole

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Medtronic may have to repay health insurers for the cost of replacing 25,000 recalled defibrillators after a federal court ruling last week. In an oral order on January 4th, U.S. District Judge James Rosenbaum said U.S. health plans may bring Medtronic to a civil trial to recuperate the money.

In February 2005, Medtronic recalled 87,000 defibrillators. Insurers paid U.S. doctors and hospitals approximately $25,000 for each replacement surgery. Private and public insurers spent approximately $625 million.

Medtronic is defending in federal courts at least 417 product liability lawsuits, some suits involve multiple claimants and 34 lawsuits in state courts, according to the filing.